Flick calls for Barcelona players to introspect on performances after dodgy start to season – report

Securing seven out of nine points playing at some of the most difficult away grounds in La Liga may not necessarily be the worst start Barcelona could have hoped for in the new season. What is worrying, however, is how the team did not look dominant in any game.

The first game against Mallorca saw the Blaugrana relax after being two men up while the clash against Levante saw them fight from 2-0 down to secure a last-minute win.

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, should have taken all three points away from them and did go on to make them drop two points anyway.

Hansi Flick, understandably, is livid with the team for their poor start to the season and SPORT reports that he has asked all his players to introspect deeply during the ongoing international break.

As relayed by the outlet, the Barcelona coach has asked all players to reflect deeply on the team’s performances in the coming days, especially on whether they were putting in the same heart, sweat and desire as they did last season. Meanwhile, he, too, wishes to do the same.

The international break will be key for Flick to go through the mistakes of the team and call for immediate correction once they return, for the team has indeed been subpar at best so far.

Flick has been far from pleased with Barcelona’s start. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

Flick is aware of his high defensive line being a target of opposition tactics and of how perfectly the team must operate on all fronts to reap its benefits.

While the players focus on giving their best on the field, he will look to devise new plans to make the most of his squad.

Three cases, in particular, bother him, and he will focus his energy on bringing them back to their best – Marcus Rashford, Jules Kounde and Fermin Lopez.

The Englishman has struggled to adapt to Spanish football and is understandably taking time to get into rhythm.

Kounde, meanwhile, has looked many levels below his last season’s version, and Flick has it as a priority to bring him back to the best.

Finally, Fermin Lopez, who was heavily linked with an exit in recent weeks, will be a priority for Flick to keep focused, and possibly even make him a starter ahead of Dani Olmo.