Barca coach Hansi Flick strongly criticizes the staging of the match against Villarreal in Miami. This publicly positions him against club president Joan Laporta.
Hansi Flick has now joined the discussion about the first match in Spanish league history to be held in the USA.
The FC Barcelona coach views the staging of the duel between his team and FC Villarreal in Miami very critically.
Hansi Flick disagrees with the staging of the Barca match in Miami
“I can understand the players not being happy. I’m not happy,” said the 60-year-old during the press conference before the home match against FC Girona this Saturday.
However, he made clear: “La Liga has decided that we want to play this match, so we have to play it.”
Staging of the match against Villarreal creates controversy
The match on December 20th, which will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for better league marketing, has been creating controversy in Spain for some time.
Last week, Barcelona’s vice-captain Frenkie de Jong had already expressed strong words. “I don’t think it’s good that we will play there, I don’t agree with it,” said the Dutch midfielder in a media round during his national team’s recent international trip.
The 28-year-old said they have to travel a lot and pointed out another disadvantage. “That’s not fair in terms of competition. For us, it’s an away game on neutral ground,” he said. He understands “that other clubs don’t agree with it.”
Villarreal has to give up a home game and instead fly over 7,000 kilometers.
Laporta: USA one of the most important markets for Barcelona
Barcelona president Joan Laporta respected the concerns but made clear: “The club plays where the league wants. If they say the match takes place in Miami, we will travel to Miami.”
However, it’s not at all that Laporta himself has no opinion on the matter. He had publicly thanked the league for the opportunity “to get even closer to one of the club’s most important strategic markets.”
One way or another, he would likely explain it similarly to the team’s coach, if he hasn’t already done so long ago.