Hansi Flick’s frustration helps Barcelona avoid unnecessary bookings – Report | OneFootball

Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona team is one that is thriving based on their competitive nature. In each and every game, the players are fully committed to working with intensity and intent. No matter the result, the Barcelona players are expected to give their all on the pitch.

However, there are certain aspects of the game where Hansi Flick seems to have a very strict code. When it comes to discipline, it is already quite clear that the German coach is never lenient and is always willing to punish his players accordingly if they do not abide by the rules.

Players have previously been left out of starting eleven as well if they failed to show up to team meetings on time. However, another way Hansi Flick demands discipline from his team is to avoid arguing with the officials during games to avoid conceding unnecessary bookings.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Barça’s players this season have been quite careful when it comes to accumulating yellow cards. Even after matchday 23, not a single player in the team is currently at risk of receiving a suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards in La Liga.

Only Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, and Raphinha have three yellow cards in totality so far. Even Gavi, who is known to be rather hot-headed at times, has only accumulated two yellow cards this season despite playing 13 games in La Liga. There are, as per MD, two main factors behind this lack of bookings this season.

For starters, the new official regulations only allow team captains to speak to the referees. This has led to a lot less unnecessary arguments and protests from players, and that has been a positive change. However, the other factor is Hansi Flick’s annoyance with such protests as well, and how the German coach is frustrated with players picking up yellow cards for that reason and losing focus on their main objective.

Out of the all the yellow cards given out to Barcelona this season, only four have been for protesting. Two of those went to Raphinha and one went to Pedri, and interestingly both of those players are team captains. One yellow card for protesting, however, has also been awarded to Pau Victor.

Over in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona are doing well in this regard as well. Heading into the Round of 16, the team is free of any yellow card-based suspensions. Only 9 players have received yellow cards throughout the league phase, and no player has accumulated more than a single yellow card as well.

However, when it comes to red cards, the latest one given out to Fermin Lopez was the fifth that Barça had conceded this season. Thus, it is clear to see that while the team has been making an effort to reduce the number of bookings conceded, the red cards awarded contrast with their efforts and the low number of yellow cards as well.