Barcelona are top in La Liga but Hansi Flick demands more from his stars

Following their 3-1 win over Deportivo Alaves, FC Barcelona moved to the top of the La Liga table, two points clear of rivals Real Madrid.

It could have been temporary, as Los Blancos faced Girona on Sunday and could have reclaimed pole position with a win.

But it was not to be as Xabi Alonso & co. were held to their third consecutive draw in La Liga, playing out a 1-1 stalemate at Estadi Montilivi.

It meant that Barcelona ended the matchday as league leaders, a point ahead of the Spanish capital club.

Hansi Flick wants more

As per Mundo Deportivo, even though the team is at the top of the league standings, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick wants more from his stars and is not entirely satisfied with what he has been seeing from his team.

The German tactician made it clear after the 3-1 win over Alaves that last season he saw control and intensity that are now missing, and he wants more solidity with the return of vital players after injury.

The gradual return of important footballers to the starting eleven is a key element in improving the team’s play.

Flick wants more. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

Raphinha created two goals against Alaves, Joan Garcia’s return to goal brings security, as he showed on Saturday, and Pedri offered half an hour of pure quality after a month out.

Dani Olmo scored twice, and Lamine Yamal added a goal and an assist while remaining a constant threat. All of this will help lift the team’s confidence.

To strengthen that belief, Barcelona now need to win one of the so-called big matches, because this season they have failed in all three that the league and Champions League calendar has produced: PSG (1-2 loss), Real Madrid (2-1 loss) and Chelsea (3-0 loss).

That is why tomorrow’s fixture against Atletico at the Camp Nou is considered a strategic match. It is not only because they face a direct rival who sit three points behind them, but also because Atleti arrive in top form after seven straight wins in official competition.

Except in the Champions League, where Barcelona have taken only one point from six against Club Brugge and Chelsea, the team responded to the defeat against Real Madrid by winning 12 points from 12 in La Liga, which has put them back at the top.

The aim is to confirm that trend by winning against Atletico.