Barcelona secured their position at the top of LaLiga with a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday, but coach Hansi Flick expressed concerns about his team's performance, emphasizing the need for significant improvement despite the win.
The Catalan giants reclaimed their spot at the summit after Atlético Madrid had briefly overtaken them earlier in the day by defeating Valencia. Second-half substitutes Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres proved decisive, with their goals ensuring Barcelona's return to the top of the table.
Flick was particularly critical of his team's first-half display, noting a clear lack of intensity. "In the first half, I missed 5-10% from the players, maybe more," the Barcelona coach stated. He specifically highlighted issues with positioning, passing, and attacking presence in the box, expressing his dissatisfaction with the team's overall performance despite securing three points.
The victory maintains Barcelona's impressive unbeaten run, which now extends to 13 games in 2025. However, the race for the LaLiga title remains intensely competitive, with Real Madrid having the opportunity to draw level on 54 points with Barcelona when they face Girona on Sunday. Atlético Madrid sits just one point behind in what is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.
The match did provide some positive takeaways for Flick, particularly in the impact of his substitutes. Olmo, recently returned from injury, made a significant contribution by scoring his first goal since November, while Torres continued his impressive goal-scoring form despite starting from the bench. Flick praised both players, noting Olmo's importance to the team and commending Torres' professionalism despite limited starting opportunities.
Barcelona's attention now turns to a crucial Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. The fixture carries additional significance as Atlético emerged victorious in their previous encounter, securing a 2-1 win at the Olympic Stadium in December. As Barcelona aims to maintain their position at the top of LaLiga while competing on multiple fronts, Flick's call for improvement takes on even greater importance.
