Everything from Hansi Flick as he rightfully calls out Gil Manzano after Barcelona lose to Real Sociedad | OneFootball

FC Barcelona lost a game against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena that they would have won nine out of ten times. Hansi Flick’s men created so many chances on the night but were denied either by an excellent Remiro in goal or the woodwork.

On the occasions when Barcelona got it right, Gil Manzano decided to play spoilsport and delivered one of his seasonal masterclasses against the Catalan club to ensure they went home with nothing to show for the trip to Sociedad.

It is not often that you see the opposition coach come out and admit they got lucky. After the game, in the post-match press conference, Hansi Flick did not mince his words about Gil Manzano, doubling down on a previous rant from Frenkie de Jong.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick admitted that he agreed with Frenkie and did not want to waste his energy on the 41-year-old referee. He said:

The German manager then went on to explain his words, claiming that he knew what to expect even ahead of the game. He said:

“I’m not disappointed with the refereeing, because we all know that’s how it is. I’ve read comments like this before the match. There are very good referees in La Liga, but we all know how it goes. Frenkie is right, he’s always calm, he’s the captain and wants to talk to the referee, but can’t. OK, you have to accept it, that’s how it is.” My disappointment is leaving without any points.”

Hansi Flick then sarcastically applauded the wrongly ruled-out offside goal for the second successive season at the same stadium by the same refereeing panel. He continued:

“Was it the same VAR referee as last season? Yes? OK, very well.”

Then, he applauded in Spanish:

“Good, good work.”

The German manager’s words further drive the same narrative that Frenkie had after the game. Everyone was disappointed with the result on the night, but it does not help when the referee seems to have something against you even before the game starts.

The mind goes back to Gerard Piqué’s words a few seasons ago about the same referee, when he, quite frankly, had some nasty things to say to Gil Manzano. Referees make mistakes, but with this one, it is a pattern, and it is high time action was taken to rectify it.