Barcelona’s Hansi Flick Suspended for El Clásico Against Real Madrid

Madrid, Spain – Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the first El Clásico of the 2025-26 La Liga season without head coach Hansi Flick on the touchline. The match will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium this Sunday, marking a pivotal point for the Catalans in their campaign.

Flick is serving a one-game suspension after being sent off during a recent match against Girona. The German manager received two yellow cards from referee Jesús Gil Manzano after expressing his discontent with the allotted stoppage time. His actions, which included sarcastically applauding the official and making an obscene gesture, led to his dismissal.

Barcelona won that match 2-1, snapping a two-match losing streak, but lost their leader for the upcoming clash against their rivals. Flick’s absence adds pressure on his assistant, Marcus Sorg, who will take over managerial duties for this crucial fixture.

As Barcelona prepares to face Madrid, they are on a four-match winning streak in El Clásico, their longest since a five-match run from 2009 to 2010. A victory on Sunday would hoist Barcelona back to the top of the league, especially since they have a favorable schedule in November.

Despite the setback with Flick, Sorg expressed confidence: “We will miss Hansi. He is the most important part of the team, but we all know what we have to do. His absence is a disadvantage, but we have to manage this situation,” he said during a press conference.

Barcelona initially appealed the suspension, arguing that Flick’s second yellow card was unjust. However, the Administrative Court for Sport rejected their appeal, stating that the referee’s report was accurate. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, voiced frustration at the decision, emphasizing that they would explore every legal avenue to allow Flick to participate.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid leads the league standings with 24 points from nine matches. They have few injury concerns going into the game, with only defenders Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba unavailable.

While the club leadership remains hopeful for a late overturn of Flick’s ban, Sorg and the team are focused on preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive match on Sunday.