FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick let loose with scathing criticism of referee Gil Manzano following a heated LaLiga encounter.
Hansi Flick’s squad poured forward with characteristic intensity, peppering the hosts’ goal in a display that echoed the “Barça way” of fluid, high-energy football.
The boiling point arrived in a shocking 2-1 defeat that snapped Barcelona’s 11-game winning streak across all competitions, slashing their lead at the top to just one point. \
Hansi Flick didn’t hold back post-match, unleashing a pointed tirade at referee Gil Manzano and VAR, accusing the official of a communication blackout that robbed meaningful dialogue. “I know what the referee is like, as per Diario Sport.
Everyone has seen it,” Flick declared, echoing captain Frenkie de Jong’s earlier blast at Manzano’s “arrogant” demeanor. “Frenkie is right—he’s calm, the captain, and he wants to speak to the referee, but he cannot. We could not either with the fourth official.
There is a lack of communication with this referee”.
The grievances piled up: three Barcelona goals disallowed—two for offside, one for a foul—while the ball struck the frame of the goal five times in vain.
Flick laughed bitterly when reminded of Manzano’s VAR role in last season’s controversial Lewandowski disallowance, quipping “Good job” in sarcasm.
Despite the fury, he praised his team’s performance: “We played a great match, created many chances, but the result does not reflect our performance… I appreciate what I saw on the pitch”.
Defensive lapses proved costly, with two errors gifting Real Sociedad their goals, including a killer second strike after the break.
“We made mistakes in defence, we have to defend better,” Flick admitted, terming it the “unluckiest” match of his career.
Still, his focus sharpened forward: “We have to accept it… focus on the next match, it is very important.” As Barcelona lick their wounds, Flick’s referee rant underscores deeper officiating tensions in LaLiga, fueling debates on fairness in Spain’s fiercest battles.
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