Hansi Flick criticizes 4 Barcelona players for not performing as expected against Real Sociedad

Barcelona suffered a surprising defeat to Real Sociedad in a match where they were clearly outplayed, making their loss fully justified. Although they failed to score, their lack of offensive potency prevented Sociedad from securing a more comfortable win.

As reported by the Spanish newspaper *El Nacional*, Hansi Flick was visibly upset after the match and expressed his frustration in the locker room, singling out four players for criticism.

The first player to face Flick’s ire was Robert Lewandowski. Despite his excellent form earlier in the season, the Barcelona striker had a disappointing outing against Sociedad. Having been in top form in recent games, he appeared absent and ineffective in this match. The heavy fixture load and lack of rest in recent weeks may have contributed to his poor performance.

Frenkie de Jong also came under scrutiny for his subpar performance. After returning to the starting lineup, he was substituted in the first half due to physical discomfort. As one of Barcelona’s key players, his lack of influence on both ends of the pitch raised concerns, particularly as the club had considered selling him during previous transfer windows.

Raphinha Dias was another player criticized by Flick. The Brazilian winger seemed to miss Lamine Yamal’s presence and failed to pose any offensive threat. His performance was a far cry from the form he had shown earlier in the season, resembling the struggles he faced last year. Although Flick still believes in Raphinha’s potential, he was disappointed by the winger’s inability to make an impact.

Finally, Fermin Lopez, who had been filling in for the injured Lamine Yamal, also faced Flick’s criticism. Despite playing out of position on the wing, Lopez was ineffective and failed to meet the manager’s expectations, prompting a call for greater effort and commitment.

The defeat to Sociedad has now reduced Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid to just six points, with Madrid having a game in hand. This loss has complicated their position in the race for the top spot in the league.