Hansi Flick’s warning to Barcelona squad is more than justified – Here’s why | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has already shown that he is not afraid to speak his mind.

Following the frustrating 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, he made a powerful statement: “Egos kill success.”

While some might brush it off as a vague remark, it feels more like a wake-up call aimed directly at the dressing room.

Barcelona may have started the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with seven points from a possible nine, but numbers alone do not tell the full story.

The team looks disjointed, the performances unconvincing, and the hunger that should define a title contender seems to be missing.

Without goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s brilliance, the Rayo Vallecano clash could have ended in defeat. If this early trend continues, Barcelona’s season could unravel quicker than expected.

This brings us to a question: what happened to the team that won a domestic treble last season? Well, there are a few issues, and here we look at some.

Defensive weaknesses and leadership void

Barcelona’s performance has not been upto the mark. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The departure of Inigo Martinez has left a gap that statistics cannot measure. He was not only a reliable defender but also a leader who held the backline together.

Flick’s trust now lies in Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi, but the pair have already shown cracks. Costly mistakes, like those against Levante, have exposed a lack of communication and maturity.

Jules Kounde, once considered untouchable, has looked out of form and lost his starting spot to Eric Garcia, who himself divides opinion among fans.

For a club that once prided itself on defensive structure, Barcelona now look uncertain at the back.

Flick is right to be concerned because a weak defence cannot sustain a title push, especially when rivals like Real Madrid are building momentum.

Creator is missing the edge

Dani Olmo seems to be struggling. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

If the defence has been shaky, the attack has been downright disappointing. With Robert Lewandowski sidelined, Barcelona needed others to step up.

Now, it is too early to judge, but Raphinha has yet to show the same form that made him a Ballon d’Or favourite.

Furthermore, Dani Olmo and Marcus Rashford have gone missing when it matters most.

Notably, Olmo wasted two clear chances against Rayo Vallecano, while Rashford has looked uncomfortable whether deployed centrally or out wide.

Barcelona fans expected Rashford to bring pace and goals, but so far, he has only brought frustration. The same applies to Olmo, who is yet to justify the faith placed in him.

These are players who should be carrying the team in Lewandowski’s absence, yet their lack of sharpness has left Barcelona toothless in attack.

Midfield depth has also been underwhelming. Gavi, Marc Casado, and Fermin Lopez all had chances to make an impression, but none managed to stamp authority on the pitch.

Flick’s warning should not be ignored

When Flick says “Egos kill success”, it is not just about selfish play.

Flick is certainly not happy with his players. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It is about attitude, focus, and responsibility. Barcelona’s squad looks distracted, and some players appear more concerned with personal status than collective effort.

This is dangerous for a club that has already seen how complacency can cost them titles in recent years.

The German manager is right to call his players out publicly. Barcelona’s early struggles are not just tactical – they are mental.

Flick knows that a squad full of young stars and high-profile names cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Right now, Barcelona are walking a fine line. Seven points from three matches may look positive on paper, but if the performances do not improve, those dropped points will multiply.

Flick’s comments should serve as a warning, not just to the players but to the entire club.

Unless the egos are put aside and the team finds balance in defence and ruthlessness in attack, Barcelona risk falling behind their rivals before the season has even truly begun.