After the epic victory over Benfica… Barcelona’s duo di,srupt the atmosphere and ig,nite tensions in the locker room, turning against Hansi Flick’s incomprehensible decision
On an unforgettable night in European football, Barcelona, under the leadership of Hansi Flick, secured a vital 1-0 victory against Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 encounter on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. This hard-fought win has placed the Catalan giants in a favorable position ahead of the decisive return leg, which will take place at Montjuïc on March 11.
However, despite the importance of the victory, reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional indicate that the atmosphere in the Barcelona dressing room after the match was not entirely one of celebration. Instead, tensions arose, particularly involving young winger Lamine Yamal and attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, who were reportedly dissatisfied with Flick’s decisions regarding player substitutions.
Both players were visibly frustrated after being withdrawn from the game, believing that Polish striker Robert Lewandowski should have been taken off instead. Their frustration stemmed from the fact that, following the early dismissal of Pau Cubarsí, Barcelona was forced to play with ten men. In such a situation, the team required players who could provide relentless energy and defensive pressure, attributes that Lewandowski struggled to offer due to his declining pace. Throughout the match, the veteran forward found it difficult to press Benfica’s backline effectively, leaving many in the squad to feel that keeping younger, more dynamic players like Yamal and Olmo on the pitch would have been a more strategic choice.
Despite his evident struggles, Lewandowski remained on the field until the final ten minutes of the game, a decision that left Yamal and Olmo particularly displeased. They believed that fresh legs were crucial in managing the challenge of being a man down, making Flick’s insistence on keeping Lewandowski on the pitch even more perplexing in their eyes.
Although Barcelona emerged victorious, the post-match unrest suggested deeper disagreements regarding Flick’s tactical approach. The German coach’s unwavering trust in Lewandowski, despite concerns over the striker’s diminishing speed and pressing ability, has reportedly sparked discussions within the squad about his decision-making process. Whether this internal discord will have a lasting impact on the team remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—Barcelona must remain united and focused as they prepare for the all-important second leg of the tie.
