Laporta on Barca: We believe in Flick despite two losses.
18 hours ago7 min read2 comments

In the crucible of elite football, where every setback is magnified and patience is a currency more volatile than any crypto, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta has delivered a staunch vote of confidence for manager Hansi Flick, a declaration of faith that resonates with the defiant spirit of the club's history despite the club suffering back-to-back defeats against PSG in the Champions League and a shocking 1-4 drubbing at the hands of Sevilla in La Liga. The immediate reaction in the digital coliseum of social media and the Catalan press has been predictably febrile, with calls for immediate tactical overhauls and questions about Flick’s high-press system, but Laporta’s message, echoing the analytical calm of Sporting Director Deco, is one of perspective and process.It’s a stance that requires looking beyond the raw, ugly numbers of those two results and delving into the mitigating circumstances that have hamstrung the squad; the treatment room at the Ciutat Esportiva has become a who's who of key personnel, a crisis of fitness that would test the depth of any squad in Europe and directly impacts the team's ability to execute Flick’s demanding *gegenpressing* philosophy, a system that requires peak physical conditioning and synchronized movement, which is nearly impossible to maintain with a rotating cast of replacements. This context is crucial, for it frames these losses not as a systemic failure but as a temporary, albeit painful, regression.Deco’s assertion that this remains a 'very competitive team' provided the work ethic is maintained is not mere corporate optimism; it’s a data-driven assessment. When you analyze the underlying metrics from the PSG first leg, for instance, Barça dominated possession in key zones and created a higher xG (expected goals) than the scoreline suggests, a statistical reality that points to fine margins and individual errors rather than a complete tactical breakdown.The comparison to legendary Barça sides of the past, like the Pep Guardiola era where setbacks were often catalysts for historic runs, is inevitable. That 2008-09 team, after all, lost its first official match and faced intense scrutiny before embarking on a treble-winning campaign, a lesson in the danger of premature judgment.Flick’s own pedigree cannot be dismissed; his sextuple-winning season with Bayern Munich was built on a similar high-octane philosophy, proving its efficacy at the very highest level, and his man-management skills, which were key to unlocking the potential of players like Thomas Müller, will be vital in navigating this storm. The challenge now is twofold: managing the short-term crisis of confidence while ensuring the long-term project stays on track.The psychological impact on a young squad featuring talents like Gavi and Pedri cannot be underestimated; consecutive heavy defeats can fracture belief, which is why Laporta’s public backing is a strategic necessity, a signal to the players that the institution is united behind them. This is where the ‘Cruyffian’ philosophy of the club, which values style and system as much as silverware, faces a modern test.Will the board and the fanbase allow Flick the time to imprint his identity, or will the demand for instant results, fueled by the memory of last season's three trophies, create a reactive environment? The road ahead is a gauntlet of must-win domestic fixtures and a Champions League quarter-final return leg that now feels like a season-defining event. The consequences of failure are stark: a trophyless season could trigger a summer of upheaval, financial constraints would tighten further, and the project built around La Masia graduates would face an existential threat.Yet, within this adversity lies opportunity. History teaches us that the greatest Barça teams were often forged in moments of doubt, their legendary *hunger*—a word Laporta specifically invoked—sharpened by criticism.This is not just about football; it’s a lesson in resilience, in trusting a process when the results are not immediately visible, a parallel to any great endeavor in life. The coming weeks will reveal whether this squad, under Flick’s guidance, possesses that same incredible thirst for victory that defined them last season, or if this early stumble is a precursor to a deeper decline. For now, the captain of the ship, Joan Laporta, is steadfast at the helm, betting on his manager and his team to navigate these choppy waters and prove that their belief is not misplaced.