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Hansi Flick has held frank discussions with members of his Barcelona squad following back-to-back defeats, as they look to get their season back on track against Levante.
Barca welcome Luis Castro’s side to Camp Nou on Sunday, having lost control of the title race in LaLiga after a 2-1 defeat at Girona on Monday.
That loss came off the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie four days earlier.
Those results have led to heavy criticism of Flick and heightened the possibility of the Blaugrana ending his second season in charge with only the Supercopa de Espana to show for their efforts.
Asked about how his players had responded to their poor results at Saturday’s pre-match press conference, Flick said: “The group is convinced of the work we are doing.
“It is not a simple situation, but communication is essential. We have been very clear and honest with each other. I ask them questions, it’s my way of managing the team.
“We need leaders in the dressing room and for that, it is key to speak to them at the same level.
“After that, the decisions are mine. I want the players to take responsibility and they are doing that.”
Hansi Flick: “After two defeats, we are playing at home and we know what we have to do. We have to get back our confidence. We have to have the hunger to win.“ pic.twitter.com/n22ZTjMCk6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 21, 2026
All four of Barca’s defeats in LaLiga this season have come on the road, and they remain one of five teams yet to lose a home match in Europe’s top five leagues this season, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.
The Blaugrana had two extra days off in the build-up to Sunday’s game, and Flick hopes that added recovery time will yield results.
“After the two defeats and without having shown our best level, I think the two days off have been good for us, the players look fresher,” Flick said.
“We play at home and we need to win to regain confidence. It’s normal that when you lose and don’t perform as you expect, doubts arise, but we’ve been very honest and open with each other, and that’s fundamental for what’s to come.
“We must play true to our idea: with mentality, good positioning and, above all, with hunger. I want to see that in the team.”
Levante are 19th in LaLiga, seven points adrift of safety, after a 1-0 defeat to Villarreal in midweek – their third loss in a row after drawing 0-0 with Atletico on January 31.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – Ferran Torres
Torres, who has just reached 200 appearances in LaLiga (129 with Barcelona and 71 with Valencia) is enjoying his most prolific season in the competition, with 12 goals in 22 games.
The former Manchester City man has been involved in three goals in his last four games against Levante in LaLiga (two goals and one assist).
Levante – Etta Eyong
Three of Levante’s last four goals in LaLiga have been scored by defenders. Only Espanyol (28%) and Osasuna (24%) defenders have contributed a higher percentage of their team’s total goals in the competition than Levante’s (23%).
Striker Eyong leads Levante’s scoring charts in LaLiga this season, netting five times, though his last goal in the competition came against Mallorca in October.
If they are to have any chance of survival, they may need him to end his 12-game goal drought soon.
MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN
Barcelona have won all 16 of their home games against Levante in LaLiga, the best 100% home record any team has against a specific opponent in the competition’s history.
Barca have also scored in all 33 of their matches against Levante in LaLiga (98 goals in total).
This is a record for the highest number of games played by one team against another in the competition’s history while scoring in 100% of them.
And Levante have lost their last three matches in LaLiga – their worst run under Castro and their worst overall in the competition since December 2025 (five straight defeats).
The visitors are huge outsiders after collecting just 18 points from their first 24 games in LaLiga this season (four wins, six draws, 14 defeats).
On the previous three occasions when they have collected 18 or fewer points after this many matches, they have ended up relegated.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Barcelona – 81.2%
Levante – 7.9%
Draw – 10.9%
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