Girona vs Barcelona: Flick rejects foul excuse after shock 2-1 defeat

Barcelona suffered a damaging 2-1 reverse at Montilivi on Monday, slipping to second in LaLiga after Fran Beltrán struck late to hand Girona the win. Manager Hansi Flick refused to lean on a contentious refereeing decision as an explanation, instead urging his players to respond with better performances.

Controversial late goal and Flick's reaction

The game turned on Beltrán's 86th-minute finish, which followed an earlier equaliser from Thomas Lemar after Pau Cubarsí had given Barcelona the lead. Barça immediately protested that Claudio Echeverri had fouled Jules Koundé in the build-up to the winning goal, but Flick declined to treat the incident as an excuse for the result.

"Everyone saw the situation before the second goal, but Girona deserved [to win], " Flick said, insisting the team had bigger problems than officiating. "We defend very bad, especially in transition, we were too open, our midfield was not in the right position. " He acknowledged the foul was "clear" yet said dwelling on it would sound like complaining. "No complaining, no excuses. They make their job. Sometimes it's not a good job, but they are on the same level that we played, so it's maybe not a good level. "

Flick pointed to fatigue and concentration lapses across a testing week, adding that the club will give the squad rest ahead of a busy period. "The players are really tired. Maybe with more control, less errors, it's a different game today, " he said, while confirming a short break for recovery before preparing for the weekend match at Camp Nou.

Form concerns deepen as title race tightens

The defeat compounded a miserable week for Barcelona after a heavy cup loss earlier in the week, leaving the side with mounting questions over consistency and defensive shape. The loss at Girona saw Barcelona drop two points behind the new LaLiga leaders, putting greater pressure on the squad as the season moves into its decisive phase.

On the night, Barcelona took an early second-half lead through Cubarsí after Lamine Yamal missed a penalty just before halftime. Girona responded swiftly: Lemar levelled almost immediately, and the match swung late when Beltrán completed a comeback in an open, high-tempo contest. Flick was blunt about the performance, saying the team must show more hunger and control if they are to chase down the top spot.

The timing of the decision will rekindle discussion after the club recently lodged a formal complaint with the national federation and the refereeing committee over perceived inconsistencies in officiating standards. Flick, however, stopped short of leading that debate and instead called for internal corrective measures. "We have to play better. We have to come back on this level, " he said.

Player reactions and the road ahead

Players were quick to express frustration. Raphinha, back from injury for the clash, sent a pointed message after the final whistle, stressing the need to improve while also suggesting the team must be ready to cope when rulings do not go their way. "We have many things to improve, but not just us. It's very complicated when the rules are different, whether they're in your favor or against you, but if we have to play against everyone to win, so be it… We'll do it. Visca el Barça always, " he wrote.

Flick hopes the international-style break and two weeks without midweek fixtures will provide the platform to regroup. He emphasised rest and sharper training ahead of Sunday’s league fixture, warning that complacency cannot be tolerated. With the title race tight and form fluctuating, Barcelona face a critical fortnight to steady their campaign and respond to the growing pressure.