Former Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski has taken aim at Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, claiming the German should be dismissed if he fails to win the Champions League.
Barcelona are a point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga but currently lie ninth in the Champions League standings, one place adrift of an automatic qualification spot for the last 16 on goal difference.
On Wednesday night, Flick’s side fell behind to an early goal at Slavia Prague’s Fortuna Stadium before recovering to win 4-2. The result leaves them level with seven other teams on 13 points, although their goal difference is superior to four of those sides.
Barcelona enjoyed their finest season in a decade last term, winning a domestic treble of La Liga, Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey titles.
However, they fell agonisingly short in the Champions League, losing to Internazionale by an aggregate score of 7-6 in the semi-finals, and Tomaszewski believes it is incumbent on Flick to do better.
‘Hansi Flick has to win the Champions League or be sacked’
“Flick has to win the Champions League,” said Tomaszewski, 78, who is best remembered for his starring role in Poland’s 1-1 draw at Wembley in 1973, which denied England qualification for the World Cup.
“If he doesn’t win, he should be kicked out, because he just doesn’t fit into this team. He has turned them into half-hearted players – and Barca has a great team.
“The players are simply outclassed. Flick is pretending to be brave after a poor performance like the one in Prague. I believe that, unfortunately, the players are only playing at 40-50% of their potential.”
Barcelona face Champions League danger
In terms of the Champions League, a final league phase game at home to Copenhagen next week could offer Barcelona an opportunity to improve their goal difference, although the fixture will not be without danger, given that the Danish Superliga side themselves need a win if they are to have any hope of advancing to the knockout phase.
Barcelona’s cause will not be helped by the absence of Frenkie De Jong, who will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his third booking of the club’s European campaign in Prague.
Also missing will be key midfielder Pedri, who suffered a hamstring injury against Slavia and faces a protracted spell on the sidelines. Of the three Champions League fixtures this season in which Barcelona have dropped points, Pedri missed two, a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge and a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.
How Flick defended Barcelona’s performance in Prague
Tomaszewski’s misgivings about events in the Czech capital were not shared by Flick, who expressed satisfaction with Barcelona’s resilience and ability to raise their level after a shaky start.
“It was really cold and Slavia are a physical team,” sack Flick in midweek, amid news that promising young midfielder Dro Fernández is set to join Paris Saint-Germain. “I said before the game that it would be physical and that they have some great players and it’s not easy to defend against them.
“I am really happy with the team’s reaction and in the end we deserved the three points, especially after our much better second half performance.”
Barcelona resume their league campaign on Sunday afternoon, when bottom-placed Oviedo visit Camp Nou.
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