Flick’s puzzle, a weary Fermin – and Mourinho’s beard concerns

FC Barcelona will have to do without Jules Koundé in the Clásico too – and José Mourinho will have to do without his electric razor.

The defeat against PSG is still having a slight impact in Barcelona. On the one hand, because of the uncharacteristic shortcomings in the 2–4 defeat at the Parc des Princes, particularly in defence. “We need to defend better than we did in Paris; we discussed that today,” explained Hansi Flick on Saturday.

On the other hand, because Dani Olmo has become the latest player to be ruled out. The 28-year-old suffered an adductor injury following a challenge with Vitinha and will be unavailable for the next three weeks. However, a top-class alternative is at the ready. “We’ve got Fermin, after all,” Flick pointed out

Koundé is also out of the picture

The absence of Jules Koundé is likely to cause him more of a headache. The Frenchman was already missing against PSG, though there was still a glimmer of hope for the Clásico. But that’s not going to happen: “Jules won’t be available tomorrow. We don’t want to take any risks. We have to accept that,” the coach continued. Defenders Eric and Andreas Christensen also remain sidelined, so Flick will have to juggle the line-up once again.

Barcelona looked particularly vulnerable on the left flank against PSG, around Joao Cancelo and later Balde and Daniel Gordon; three of the four goals were conceded following gaps on that side. Had Koundé recovered in time, he would likely have started on the right. Xavi Espart, who occupied the right flank in Paris, would have returned to the left.

These tactical plans have now gone up in smoke. So Cancelo and Espart will likely occupy the two full-back positions in the back four once again. It remains to be seen who will line up on which side. Or might Balde even be brought in to replace the defensively vulnerable Cancelo?

The referees remain a perennial topic of discussion in the Clásico, even before the match. The Royals feel chronically disadvantaged and regularly stir up sentiment against the referees via Real Madrid TV.

Fermin has grown tired of the whole affair, as he stated ahead of the eternal derby. “The debate is slowly becoming a bit tiresome,” said the 23-year-old. “We don’t get involved in these controversies. We’re doing our job well, winning, playing well and embodying the values that Barcelona stands for,” he said.

When asked about Fermin’s comments, Real coach José Mourinho said: “What can I say? We’re getting fed up with other things, and they keep happening over and over again.” Yet it was actually Real’s opponents, FC Sevilla, who had more reason to complain recently, as two incidents went unpunished during the Royals’ 4–1 victory.

Mourinho and his ‘lucky’ beard: “Do I look that terrible?”

As Real also beat Leipzig 4–1 – this time without any controversy over the referee’s decisions – they have now recorded four wins in a row. Could this possibly have something to do with Mourinho’s new quirk? The Portuguese manager has been growing a beard for a month now, and it seems to be bringing him luck.

Mourinho emphasised, however, that he is “not superstitious at all. Do I look terrible with my beard? Should I have it shaved off?”, he said with a laugh, before emphasising once more: “I’m one of the few people in football who aren’t superstitious.”