Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed frustration after his team paid a "high price" for their 3-0 victory against Osasuna, with midfielder Dani Olmo sustaining an injury in Thursday's rescheduled match.
The game, originally postponed following the death of Barcelona's first team doctor Carles Miñarro, was controversially rearranged for immediately after the international break despite protests from both clubs.
"Today we made the best of the situation we have," Flick said in the post-game news conference. "It's not the right date for playing this match. After the international break, it was not good. We have three points more, but we paid a really high price for the injury of Dani, it's not good."
Sources told ESPN that Olmo will undergo tests on an adductor problem, with initial estimates suggesting a two to three-week absence, potentially forcing him to miss multiple fixtures during Barcelona's congested schedule.
"We don't know how long he will be out. If it's two weeks it means a lot of matches. Or three weeks more matches. It's not a good situation. The price was very high for the three points," Flick added.
The victory, secured through goals from Ferran Torres, Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, moved Barcelona three points clear at the top of LaLiga. However, the team had to manage without Raphinha, who was unavailable after representing Brazil against Argentina on Tuesday, while Ronald Araújo remained on the bench after late return from Uruguay duty.
This match marks the beginning of a grueling stretch for Barcelona, who face seven games in just 20 days. Their upcoming league fixture against Girona kicks off only 64 hours after the final whistle against Osasuna.
Flick criticized the increasingly packed football calendar, particularly highlighting the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup as problematic.
"I think you have to listen to the players," he said. "This is the important thing. And also to the coaches. In summer there is the World Cup for the clubs. It's tough. The [UEFA] Nations League, international breaks... I don't think it's a good thing this World Cup, in my opinion. OK, you can earn a lot of money, but for the players it's not good. We have to stop and think about the players."
The German coach warned that the quality of football is suffering due to the demanding schedule: "Fans want every player to give 100%, to see a spectacle... and when it goes on this way, I think it's not at this level. We cannot play on this level. Not only us, but also the other teams who will play the World Cup."
Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, who played 120 minutes for France against Croatia in the Nations League quarterfinal just days earlier, echoed his manager's sentiments.
"I am angry about the date chosen for this game, it's not normal," Koundé told DAZN. "It's true I'm fortunate to do what I do, I know that, but it shows a lack of respect to the clubs, Barça and Osasuna, who both had international players, to select this date."
The French international delivered a powerful message about player welfare: "We're not machines and to play our game and give the fans what we want, to put on a show and play with intensity, we need rest. More than anything, it shows a lack of respect to the players. All institutions have to understand this, not just LaLiga, everyone."
Koundé concluded with a call for players' voices to be heard: "We have not said anything before because we didn't want to look for excuses, but you reach a moment where your voice has to be heard. We are the main actors in this and they can't just do what they want."
