Barcelona boss Hansi Flick reportedly locked his players in the dressing room following their frustrating draw with Rayo Vallecano.
The Catalans winning start to the season ended after they were held to a 1-1 draw – and required new goalkeeper Joan Garcia to be at his very best.
Prior to Sunday’s draw, Barcelona thrashed Mallorca 3-0 in the opening match before a 3-2 win away at Levante.
However, Flick was far from happy with his side in all three matches – and he made his feelings known after the draw with Rayo Vallecano.
According to The Athletic, the German locked his players in the dressing room and delivered the same message he gave in his post-match press conference – only in far stronger terms.
‘The most important thing is that, when the transfer window is closed, everyone who stays is 100 per cent committed to this club,’ Flick told reporters after the draw.
Hansi Flick locked his players in the dressing room after their 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona’s winning start to the season ended, and Flick made his feelings know to the players
New goalkeeper Joan Garcia made several savesto secure a point for the Catalans
‘No egos, because egos kill success. Last season, we played as one unit. We have to be like this again now.’
It is said that the players felt that Flick’s message was needed and a fair one.
Lamine Yamal told Spanish channel TVE: ‘Egos? Everyone has their opinion, but I don’t think our problems are down to that.
‘It has to do with the fact that we have not started the season with the same intensity we ended the last one.
‘After a draw like that, you are always frustrated, but we’ve taken seven points out of nine playing away from home in difficult stadiums, which people sometimes forget.
‘The manager is right, we made too many mistakes, but this can happen. We have to get back to our level as soon as possible now.’
Barcelona initially took the lead against Rayo Vallecano through Yamal’s penalty shortly before the break.
However, Fran Perez levelled for the hosts after 67 minutes, and they might have taken all three points were it not for goalkeeper Garcia, who produced a string of crucial saves.
Flick will seek an improvement from his players when they host Valencia after the international break.
