Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s unusually downcast demeanor after a 3-1 victory over Alavés was due to in-game frustrations with match officials and disputed penalty calls, according to club sources.
The German coach’s visibly somber appearance following the win sparked concern in Spain, particularly among supporters of the Catalan club, prompting widespread speculation.
Sources within the club told ‘Mundo Deportivo’ that Flick was simply irritated by specific incidents during the match. They dismissed any suggestions of deeper issues.
One key point of contention was Flick’s anger with the fourth official. He reportedly received no explanation after Barcelona’s goalkeeper coach and an assistant were expelled from the touchline.
Flick also disagreed with the referee’s decision not to award a penalty. This occurred when forward Lamine Yamal fell inside the box during a play involving Alavés player Parada.
Fan reactions on social media quickly followed, including various theories about the manager’s mood. Club representatives, however, reassured the public that his irritation was solely game-related.
Despite his frustration, Flick expressed confidence in future team performance. He referenced post-match comments from player Raphinha, who also highlighted the team’s commitment to improvement.
?? Hansi Flick: “After the end of the match, Raphinha was telling me the same thing I said last time: We will improve. We will be much better in the upcoming matches”.?? @DAZN_ES
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2025