Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has moved away from publicly shaming tardy players, opting instead for substantial financial penalties. The shift in policy, confirmed Friday, comes after a period of benching high-profile players like Raphinha and Marcus Rashford for arriving late to team commitments. The move reflects a pragmatic adjustment by the coach, aiming to maintain team discipline without creating public friction.
Flick, speaking ahead of Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Villarreal, explained the change stemmed from the stress of last-minute decisions regarding team selection. “For me, it was always stressful when I looked to my watch and it was maybe 60, 45 seconds to go and [a player] was not there,” he said. “I was always thinking: ‘Are they coming?’ So I decided [to change it] and I spoke with the captains.” The captains, whose identities were not disclosed, apparently played a role in the decision to transition to fines.
The financial repercussions for lateness are significant. According to first team players Pedri and Ferran Torres, the fine amounts to approximately €40,000. Flick confirmed the hefty penalty has already proven effective. “The fine is huge and, until now, no one came one second too late, so I think it was the right decision,” he stated. This suggests a swift change in player behavior following the implementation of the new system.
From Benchings to Bank Accounts: A Shift in Discipline
Earlier this season, Flick demonstrated a firm stance on punctuality, publicly benching players for arriving late. Raphinha was notably excluded from the starting lineup against Valencia in September, while Rashford faced a similar fate against Getafe a week later. These actions followed previous instances last season involving Jules Koundé and Iñaki Peña. The coach’s initial approach was intended to send a clear message about the importance of discipline and respect for team schedules.
However, the public nature of the punishments appeared to create a different kind of pressure, one Flick admitted he found uncomfortable. “This was not always easy this situation. I don’t like this pressure, either, given that We see also pressure for me, because it doesn’t matter who, I had to say he will not play,” he explained. The change to financial penalties seems designed to address this internal stress while still maintaining accountability.
Flick’s Milestone and League Ambitions
Saturday’s match against Villarreal marks Flick’s 100th game in charge of Barcelona. Through 99 matches, he has secured 74 wins, placing him second only to Luis Enrique in terms of wins at this stage of their Barcelona tenures. Despite this impressive record, Flick emphasized that past achievements are secondary to future success. “But I never look at numbers. For me, it is about the number at the end of the season. When we are first [in the table], it’s perfect.”
Barcelona currently has an opportunity to extend their lead in LaLiga. A win against Villarreal would temporarily move them four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who are scheduled to play Getafe on Monday. The league standings are tight, and every point is crucial as the season progresses.
Injury Updates and Team News
Barcelona will be without midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the upcoming match against Villarreal, as he is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks with a hamstring injury. However, there is positive news regarding Pedri, who is pushing for a starting position after returning as a substitute in last weekend’s victory over Levante.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a knee injury, according to recent reports. Goal.com reported on February 17, 2026, that Rashford’s recovery is ongoing, and his return date remains uncertain. The team also continues to be without Gavi and Andreas Christensen due to existing injuries.
The implementation of the new fine system for tardiness comes at a critical juncture for Barcelona, as they navigate a competitive LaLiga season and prepare for upcoming challenges in the Champions League. The focus now shifts to maintaining discipline and securing positive results on the pitch.
Barcelona’s next confirmed fixture is their LaLiga match against Villarreal on Saturday. Following that, Real Madrid will face Getafe on Monday. Updates on player injuries and team selections will continue to be released by the club through their official channels.
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