Flick Explains Gestures in Barcelona Victory: Against the Referee?

Hansi Flick: “My gestures were not for the referee”

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick assured that none of his gestures during the dramatic 2-1 victory against Girona in LaLiga were directed at the referee, after being sent off in a tense end to the match. Flick received a yellow card in added time, apparently for applauding referee Jesús Gil Manzano, and was then cautioned a second time for his reaction to the first card.

Frenkie [de Jong] was there and I said [while applauding] ‘OK, come on Frenkie'”, explained Flick in the press conference after the match.

Hansi Flick

As a result of his expulsion, Flick will likely have to serve a suspension and may not be on the bench next weekend in the Clásico against Real Madrid, which will determine the leader of the table.

He could face an even bigger sanction if his celebration after Ronald Araujo’s goal in the 93rd minute, which came after his expulsion, is considered punishable. Flick ran towards the field after the goal, making a provocative gesture with his arms, although he says it wasn’t directed at anyone.

It wasn’t against anyone. Maybe it was about our game, the performance we put in. I never go against anyone. For me, it’s football. It’s emotion. I also don’t say anything about the referee. It’s his decision. I accept it. It’s not against him, the applause with the hands.

Hansi Flick

Flick said he tried to speak with Gil Manzano, but the referee did not want to talk. The Barça had lost their last two matches, against Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, before Saturday’s Catalan derby, but started well against Girona, taking the lead thanks to Pedri in the 13th minute. Girona equalized shortly after with a bicycle kick from Axel Witsel and could have scored more before halftime, while Barça was also close when a free kick from Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar. Barcelona improved in the second half, but had to wait until the 93rd minute to secure the three points when central defender Araujo, who came off the bench as an emergency striker, headed in a cross from De Jong. Araújo, for his part, said that his teammates laughed when he told them he would score while he was getting ready to come on.

Everyone knows I played as a forward [when I was younger]. I think if I played as a forward I could score many more goals. When the boss asked me about coming on, I had no doubt. When I was putting on the shirt I said ‘If I come on, I’ll score a goal’. Everyone laughed and then I scored. I work hard to be able to play, so I’m very happy.

Ronald Araújo

The Barça returns to Champions League action on Tuesday when they host Olympiacos, before traveling to Madrid next Sunday in LaLiga. Flick’s team topped LaLiga with the victory over Girona, but Madrid will surpass them again with a win against Getafe on Sunday.