BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told his team they must feel responsibility after two damaging defeats ahead of Sunday’s clash against Levante in La Liga.
The Catalan giants are bolstered by the return of Pedri Gonzalez and Marcus Rashford after injury as they aim to overhaul Real Madrid in the Spanish title race.
After a 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid last week in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, Barca fell to a 2-1 league defeat against Girona on Monday, giving Los Blancos a two-point advantage at the summit.
“I think everyone is convinced about what we are doing, of course in these moments it’s not easy,” Flick told reporters Saturday.
“For me, communication is always important. We were very honest and also very open, it’s not only me telling them what to do, I want to ask them. This is how I manage the team.
“It is important because we need leaders on the pitch, they should (be able) to say something. That’s how communication is, on the same eye-level.
“At the end, I have to decide things, that is my job, but I want the players to feel the responsibility about this situation, and I think they do.”
Rashford returns after a fortnight out with a knee problem, while key playmaker Pedri has missed a month with a hamstring injury.
“The positive thing is Rashford is back, Pedri is back,” said Flick.
“Maybe (Pedri) can play some minutes, the important thing is he’s training, with his quality.
“He’s an important player for us, he’s a different kind of leader because of his quality.
“He can also be one of these leaders for the future for this club.”
Flick also confirmed 21-year-old midfielder Gavi is back in training after undergoing knee surgery in September 2025.
Real Madrid visit Osasuna on Saturday aiming to stretch their lead on Barca before Levante visit Camp Nou.
Flick tells Barca stars to feel ‘responsibility’ for dip
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Flick tells Barca stars to feel ‘responsibility’ for dip
- “I think everyone is convinced about what we are doing, of course in these moments it’s not easy,” Flick said
- “We were very honest and also very open, it’s not only me telling them what to do, I want to ask them”
Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16
- The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle United completed their stroll into the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday to progress 9-3 on aggregate over the Azeri champions.
The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
A tie that involved an over 5,000-mile (8,000 kilometer) round trip for both sides was killed off inside 45 minutes last week as Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time on their way to a 6-1 rout.
That allowed Eddie Howe to heavily rotate his side, with four-goal hero from the first leg Anthony Gordon among those left on the bench.
Newcastle still made another fast start to add to their lead twice inside six minutes.
Sandro Tonali fired in the rebound after Dan Burn’s shot was saved before Joelinton stroked in Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Qarabag had taken the scalps of Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase to make the play-off round and at least salvaged some pride with two goals in the second half.
Camilo Duran outpaced Burn to pull a goal back before the Newcastle defender was penalized for handball inside the box.The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty but Elvin Jafarguliyev netted the rebound.
In between the visitors’ two goals, Sven Botman powered in a header from a corner.
That took the tally of goals conceded by Qarabag in the Champions League to 30 — a single season record in the competition.
