Hansi Flick has had candid conversations with members of his Barcelona squad following back-to-back defeats as they look to get their season back on track against Levante.
Barcelona welcome Luis Castro’s side to Camp Nou on Sunday after losing control of the LaLiga title race with a 2-1 defeat in Girona on Monday.
That loss came on the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final four days earlier.
Those results have led to heavy criticism of Flick and raised the possibility that the Blaugrana could end its second season in charge with only the Supercopa de Espana to show for their efforts.
Asked how his players had reacted to their poor results at Saturday’s pre-match press conference, Flick said: “The group is convinced of the work we are doing.
“It’s not an easy situation, but communication is essential. We’ve 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 crucial to speak to them on the same level.
“After that, the decisions are up to me. I want the players to take responsibility and they do.”
Hansi Flick: “After two defeats, we are playing at home and we know what we have to do. We have to get our confidence back. 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 to have yet to lose a home game in Europe’s top five leagues this season, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.
The Blaugrana had two extra days off ahead of Sunday’s match, and Flick will be hoping the extra recovery time will pay off.
“After the two defeats and without showing our best level, I think the two days off have been good for us. The players look fresher,” said Flick.
“We are playing at home and we have to win to regain confidence. It is normal that when you lose and do not perform as you expect, doubts arise, but we have been very honest and open with each other, and that is fundamental for what is to come.”
“We must remain 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 defeat in a row following a 0-0 draw against Atletico on January 31.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona-Ferran Torres
Torres, who has just completed 200 appearances in LaLiga (129 with Barcelona and 71 with Valencia), is enjoying his most productive season in the league, 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 league than Levante’s (23%).
Striker Eyong leads Levante’s LaLiga charts this season, scoring five times, although his last goal in the competition came against Mallorca in October.
If they want to have any chance of survival, they might need him to end their 12-game goal drought soon.
MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN
Barcelona have won all 16 home games against Levante in LaLiga, the best 100% home record any team has against a specific opponent in the history of the competition.
Barcelona also scored in all 33 matches against Levante in LaLiga (98 goals in total).
This is a record for the highest number of matches played by one team against another in the history of the competition with 100% of them scoring.
And Levante have lost their last three games in LaLiga – their worst run under Castro and their worst overall in the league since December 2025 (five consecutive defeats).
The visitors are huge outsiders, having collected just 18 points from their first 24 games in LaLiga this season (four wins, six draws, 14 defeats).
The three previous times when they had collected 18 or fewer points after so many games, they were ultimately relegated.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Barcelona – 81.2%
Levante – 7.9%
Draw – 10.9%
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