Barcelona's La Liga schedule sparks Champions League concerns

Speaking at a press conference before their La Liga match against Celta Vigo, Flick expressed frustration over the timing of their upcoming fixture against Real Valladolid, set for 3 May at 21h00. The late kick-off, just three days before their trip to Milan for the second leg against Inter, has left the German tactician concerned about his players' recovery time.

This is not the first time Flick has raised the issue. A few weeks ago, he voiced similar discontent over the scheduling of Barcelona's match against Leganes, which was played on Saturday, 12 April at 21h00, just days before their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund on 15 April.

Despite a 1-0 defeat in Germany, their first loss of 2025, Barcelona progressed to the semi-finals thanks to a commanding performance in the first leg at Montjuic.

Flick was clear that he was not making excuses for the result but highlighted the challenges posed by the late return to Barcelona and the quick turnaround for the Dortmund trip. "Our players had little rest after Madrid, arriving back in the early hours, then travelling to Germany," he said.

History appears to be repeating itself. The Valladolid match, part of La Liga's 34th round, mirrors the same problematic scheduling. Barcelona had hoped for more flexibility from La Liga president Javier Tebas and his organisation, especially after indications that adjustments might be made.

On 7 April, La Liga announced the matchday 34 fixtures, noting potential changes to games including Alaves against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid against Celta Vigo, and Valladolid against Barcelona. Initially, Barcelona's match was slated for Sunday, 4 May at 14h00, while Atletico's was set for Saturday, 3 May at 14h00. Following their qualification for the Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona expected a swap with the Alaves game or at least an earlier kick-off, such as 16h15 or 18h30, anything but the late 21h00 slot.

While La Liga did move the Valladolid match forward by a day, Flick remains unimpressed. He argued that his players will again face a late-night return to Barcelona, leaving them with insufficient time to rest and prepare for what he called a "decisive and historic" Champions League encounter.

The former Bayern Munich boss pointed to other leagues, such as the Premier League and Bundesliga, which he believes offer greater support to teams competing in European competitions. "In Germany and England, they protect their clubs better," Flick said.

Barcelona's players, including stars like Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, will need to navigate this gruelling schedule as they aim to secure a spot in the Champions League final.

Fans have echoed Flick's concerns, with many taking to X to voice their frustration. One user posted, "La Liga's scheduling is a disgrace. Barcelona are being set up to fail in Europe." Another wrote, "Hansi Flick is spot on, why can't LaLiga give our boys a fair chance?"

As the Catalans prepare for their trip to Valladolid and the showdown in Milan, Flick's outspoken comments have put La Liga's priorities under scrutiny, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether Spanish football is doing enough to support its European contenders.