Hansi Flick gives Barcelona players two days off after El Clasico defeat

Hansi Flick has given his Barcelona squad two days off following their 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid in El Clasico, according to Sport.

Barcelona will resume training on Wednesday as they begin preparations for Saturday’s meeting with Deportivo Alaves. Flick took advantage of the team having no match scheduled in midweek to allow his players time away from the intensity of competitive football.

The decision is intended to help the squad recover physically and mentally before returning to training and their upcoming fixtures. Barcelona have suffered successive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, leaving Flick seeking a response from his team.

Barcelona were beaten 4-2 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday before losing to Real Madrid in the 10th round of La Liga. The result ended Barcelona’s run of nine consecutive league victories.

It was their second defeat of the season and their second in succession, after Paris Saint-Germain had also beaten them 4-2 in the Champions League only days earlier.

Real Madrid’s victory was their first over Barcelona at Camp Nou since the 2023-24 season. That previous success also came in October 2023 and ended with the same 2-1 scoreline in favour of Real Madrid.

The latest win moved Real Madrid on to 24 points in third place, one point behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. Barcelona remain top of La Liga on 27 points.