Girona vs Barcelona: Flick vows no excuses after shock 2-1 defeat at Montilivi
Montilivi, Monday, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) — Barcelona suffered a painful late reversal as Girona secured a 2-1 win at Montilivi, handing the visitors their first domestic setback in weeks and handing the LaLiga lead to their rivals. The result left Barcelona two points off the summit and raised fresh questions about form, officiating and squad fatigue.
Late twist and contentious build-up
Pau Cubarsí gave Barcelona a first-half lead with a headed goal early in the second period after Lamine Yamal missed a first-half penalty, but Thomas Lemar levelled almost immediately. The decisive moment arrived in the 86th minute when Fran Beltrán struck to complete Girona’s turnaround.
Barcelona felt there had been a clear foul in the move that led to the winner, with Claudio Echeverri judged by the visitors to have impeded Jules Koundé in the build-up. Manager Hansi Flick acknowledged the incident but refused to make it the focal point of his post-match analysis. “I don't want to speak about that, ” he said, adding that while the contact was obvious, he would not use it as an excuse for a poor team performance.
Flick critical of performance, not keen to blame officials
The coach was blunt about the team's shortcomings. He singled out defensive transitions and midfield positioning as areas that left Barcelona “too open. ” Flick stressed the importance of accountability, insisting that complaining about refereeing would look like evasion when the team did not reach the necessary standards on the pitch. “No complaining, no excuses, ” he said, urging the squad to address form rather than seek explanations.
That stance comes on the heels of formal complaints the club filed this week with the national governing bodies over perceived inconsistencies in officiating, a background detail that added context to the frustration surrounding the late goal. Still, Flick tempered his criticism of match officials and even quipped that the referees were operating at a similar level to his players on the night, a remark that underlined his belief that internal problems were the primary issue.
Tactical frailties, fatigue and the road ahead
Beyond the controversy, Barcelona’s problems were tactical and physical. Flick said the squad appeared tired and error-prone, pointing to a congested schedule and a heavy midweek defeat in the cup as contributory factors. He confirmed he would grant the team two days off to recover before preparations ramp up again for the next league fixture.
Despite the setback, the manager remained combative about the longer-term prospects. He vowed to use the upcoming break in midweek fixtures to train hard and reclaim momentum, with a clear aim to challenge for top spot again. The defeat, however, compounds a difficult spell and hands a psychological boost to rivals above them in the table.
What the result means for the title race
The loss at Montilivi handed the initiative to the league leaders, who now sit two points clear after Monday’s fixtures. For Barcelona, it is a reminder that margins in the title race are slim and that consistency across all areas—defence, midfield control and match-day discipline—will be crucial in the run-in.
Barcelona now head into a brief window without midweek fixtures, an opportunity Flick highlighted as vital for recovery and recalibration. The coach insisted the group remains determined: “We will fight. We have time to come back, ” he said, looking ahead to the next league assignment as a chance to arrest the slide and restore confidence.
For Girona, the victory reinforces their ability to compete in high-stakes encounters and provides a timely lift to their season. For Barcelona, the immediate challenge is clear: respond quickly, correct the transitions that cost them here, and prevent an early-season wobble from becoming a defining trait of their campaign.
