“Although we won the match and qualified for the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, I cannot be completely satisfied with the performance; we have wasted too many clear chances and we need to immediately improve our finishing…” Coach Hansi Flick directly criticized the entire team for the waste of opportunities in the hard-fought 2-1 victory against Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Furthermore, he harshly and directly pointed out two players who performed below their level in the match against Albacete, stating that “they had complicated their lives” in this way. At the same time, he declared that he will not give these two players any more opportunities, which generated great surprise and shock throughout the team…

The 2-1 victory against Albacete in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey allowed the team to seal their place in the semifinals, but the atmosphere after the game was far from festive. Hansi Flick’s words marked a clear turning point.

From the first minute of his analysis, the German coach made it clear that the result could not hide the deficiencies shown on the pitch. For Flick, the team won, yes, but they did so by wasting too many clear chances that could have been costly.

The coach insisted that the lack of definition is a recurring problem that must be corrected immediately if the team wants to aspire to important titles this season. The Copa del Rey does not forgive mistakes and the semi-finals will demand a much higher level.

During the match, the team dominated long stretches of the game, generating enough chances to score before the break, but allowing Albacete to stay alive. That lack of forcefulness ignited Flick’s contained anger after the final whistle.

Beyond the collective criticism, what really shook the locker room was the harshness with which the coach singled out two specific players. Flick did not mention names in the first response, but the message was unambiguous and direct.

As the minutes passed, it became clear that one of those identified was João Cancelo, whose performance once again raised important doubts. The Portuguese full-back performed well below expectations, especially in the defensive aspect.

Cancelo was shown a yellow card in the 15th minute, an action that conditioned his entire match. From that moment on he was insecure, hesitant and excessively impulsive in several entries that bordered on expulsion.

On more than one occasion, the Portuguese arrived late to the mark, launched himself recklessly and was fortunate that the referee did not show a second yellow. Many fans agreed that he was “lucky not to get sent off.”

Defensively, his performance was described as naive and chaotic. He lost his back in several actions, got lost in defensive transitions and forced his teammates to constantly cover his mistakes on the right side.

In attack, it is true that he left some sparkles, especially in combinations with the young Lamine Yamal, but they were isolated actions that did not compensate for a general performance described as “rocky showing” by the press.

It was not surprising that Flick decided to replace Cancelo before the end of the first half, or at the start of the second, according to different sources. The decision was interpreted as a clear and forceful message from the coach.

Social networks exploded after the game, with numerous fans describing his performance as “a disaster on the right wing” and seriously questioning his reliability in highly competitive matches.

The second player harshly criticized by Flick was Robert Lewandowski, whose performance once again generated deep frustration in both the coaching staff and the stands. The Polish striker was practically missing during the match.

Lewandowski barely managed a shot on goal, which was well saved by the Albacete goalkeeper. Beyond that isolated action, he did not manage to impose himself, he did not generate danger and he did not actively participate in the offensive construction.

His body language reflected discomfort and disconnection. He was seen frustrated, protesting some decisions and failing to find spaces or clear associations with his teammates in the final meters of the field.

The criticism was especially harsh because the team needed his experience to close the game much earlier. Flick believes that a striker of his hierarchy cannot go unnoticed in a decisive Cup match.

The analysts agreed that Lewandowski “struggled frustratingly to get into the game,” without success. His influence was minimal and his offensive contribution practically nil during the ninety minutes.

The German coach’s words left no room for interpretation: both players “made their lives complicated” with their performance and, according to Flick, there will be no more immediate opportunities to prove otherwise.

This statement generated a huge surprise within the locker room, since these are two important footballers, used to being starters and references. Flick’s message was as forceful as it was unexpected.

The coach wants to establish a culture of maximum demands, where name and past do not guarantee minutes. For him, only current performance counts, especially in a competition as demanding as the Copa del Rey.

The victory against Albacete, although sufficient to advance, left many lessons. Flick knows this and does not want the team to settle for tight results when the potential allows us to aspire to much more.

Looking ahead to the semi-finals, the coach will demand greater efficiency in front of goal, defensive solidity and, above all, total concentration during the ninety minutes. Individual errors will have no margin of tolerance.

The message has already been launched and has been heard. The initial commotion in the locker room could become a positive turning point if the team responds with character and ambition in the next matches.

The Copa del Rey enters its decisive phase and Flick wants a recognizable, competitive and lethal team. Winning is not enough; Doing it well is an obligation. The warning was clear and the time to react is now.