"I'm not happy about it, it's not about Real Madrid v Barcelona" – Hansi Flick on Osasuna fixture

03/26/2025 08:17 AM

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick started off with a pointed statement about the scheduling of games in Spanish football ahead of their clash with Osasuna on Thursday night. The Blaugrana's postponed fixture was rearranged, with some of their players coming back with less than 48 hours between their international fixtures.

The Blaugrana will also have just 65 hours rest between their game against Osasuna and their Sunday clash with Girona. It was immediately the first talking point in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"The players have played with their teams, and now it is time for us to play tomorrow. After we have Leganes away at 21:00, so we play late, we arrive late. We will have little rest."

"It's to do with the recovery of the players. I'm not happy about this. You see other leagues, how they handle it, with the Champions League, it's completely different. It's not about Real Madrid vs Barca, it's about protecting Spanish teams."

"But we cannot change it, we will play and I've always said there are no excuses. The team is ready, and we can win every game. Now I'm thinking positively about this."

Both Barcelona and Osasuna appealed the decision to arrange the game so quickly after the international break, instead seeking a date later in the season, with no little frustration. Flick was asked for his reaction.

"We have to accept it. That's how they decided. We can't change it. It's UEFA or FIFA's job to decide whether the players can rest. Maybe that's the only option, for them to say two or three days rest. In the end, that's how it is. La Liga has given the go-ahead."

The post “I’m not happy about it, it’s not about Real Madrid v Barcelona” – Hansi Flick on Osasuna fixture appeared first on Football España.