Barcelona has a crazy match schedule. On Thursday evening, the Catalans have to play again, even though coach Hansi Flick still doesn’t have all his international players back.
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Barcelona played Osasuna on Thursday, March 27, at 21:00 and came away with a solid 2-0 victory, despite being severely limited by the effects of a demanding international break.
The win, achieved without some key players, sent a clear message: even under less-than-ideal circumstances, Barça can rise to the occasion.
The buildup to the match had been dominated by frustration within the Barcelona camp, especially from head coach Hansi Flick, who openly criticized the congested fixture calendar during his pre-match press conference. The German manager expressed deep concern about the scheduling, which forced Barcelona to play just days after many of their top players had returned from national team duty.
"Raphinha can't play on Thursday, and neither can Ronald Araújo," Flick confirmed, visibly annoyed. "Raphinha just played a full match against Argentina on Tuesday night, and Ronald also played for Uruguay. It's simply unrealistic to expect them to recover and compete again at this level with barely any rest. If we beat Osasuna, that will be the perfect answer to this situation..."
Flick's comments highlighted the physical toll that international breaks can have on club teams, especially those like Barcelona that have a large number of internationals. The German coach was particularly concerned about player welfare, emphasizing the importance of managing workload and recovery. "We're playing a match on Thursday at nine in the evening. I'm not happy about it. We need to protect the players that's my opinion."
He didn’t hold back when comparing the situation to the way other clubs respond to similar challenges. "We can't make excuses," he said pointedly, before indirectly referencing Real Madrid. "Real Madrid always complains about not getting 72 hours of rest sometimes. But we are Barça, not Real Madrid and we're proud of that."
His remarks were seen by many as both a defense of Barcelona’s mentality and a subtle jab at their biggest rivals. The message was clear: while others might look for excuses, Barça focuses on solutions, even when they’re placed in difficult circumstances.
Still, Flick’s irritation wasn’t limited to internal matters or rivalries. He also called upon football’s governing bodies UEFA and FIFA to take responsibility for the increasingly unsustainable demands being placed on elite players. "I don’t even want to remember how I reacted when I found out we had to play on Thursday," Flick admitted. "It wasn’t a good moment. But it is what it is. UEFA and FIFA should take a look at this and set some limits."
He argued that rescheduling matches so close to the end of international breaks places players at unnecessary risk of injury and puts clubs in a position where they’re forced to compete without their best options. "We want to see the best football possible, but that’s not realistic if players are overworked. It’s a question of health, quality, and fairness," he said.
Despite all these setbacks, Barcelona responded with professionalism on the pitch. The 2-0 win over Osasuna was a testament to the squad’s depth and resilience. With Raphinha and Araújo unavailable, Flick relied on other key figures to step up and they delivered. The goals came through smart link-up play and confident finishing, as the team controlled the rhythm from start to finish, rarely allowing Osasuna to threaten.
The performance not only secured three important points in the league race but also served as a morale boost at a time when the team is juggling multiple challenges. It was also a vindication of Flick’s leadership, showing that even in difficult moments, he can guide his side to success while standing up for their long-term interests.
As the calendar continues to test the limits of modern football, Flick's words may resonate beyond Barcelona. His call for reform echoes growing concerns among coaches, players, and medical staff across Europe. Whether UEFA and FIFA will listen remains to be seen but on Thursday night at the Estadi Olímpic, Barça made their stance clear: they play to win, no matter what.
Updated: 03:21, 26 Mar 2025
