Grief has struck Hansi Flick on the eve of a potentially historic night for FC Barcelona, with the club confirming the death of the coach’s father hours before Sunday’s Clasico.
“Barcelona and the entire Blaugrana family wish to convey our affection to Hansi Flick over the passing of his father,” the club said. “We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family.”
The 61-year-old remains on course to deliver consecutive La Liga titles. Barcelona lead Real Madrid by 11 points with four matches left and only needs to avoid defeat at Camp Nou to seal the crown.
Victory would keep the Catalans on track to match the record of 100 league points. Wins over Madrid and Real Betis would also make them the first side to win every home game in a 38-match La Liga season.
The build-up has been overshadowed by unrest in the Madrid camp after a training-ground clash between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde left the latter needing hospital treatment for a head injury.
Valverde said he “accidentally” hit a table during the row, causing a small cut on my forehead, but the club fined both players €500,000 and confirmed they apologised to teammates and supporters.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe during the El Clásico. He is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal is also sidelined with a similar problem.
Barcelona could become the first team to clinch the title in a Clásico since 1932. Flick insists the objective is clear. “We want to win the title, the second in a row,” he said. “It’s amazing, not normal, here in Spain. So this is what we want to do, nothing else, nothing more.”
