Hansi Flick Furious With Refereeing After Barcelona's Defeat: 'That Goal Killed...'

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 12:00 IST

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticises referee after 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad, ending their 12-match unbeaten run.

Hansi Flick waits for the start of the Spanish La Liga game between Real Sociedad and Barcelona (Picture credit: AP)

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, on Sunday, January 18, slammed referee Gil Manzano, officiating during his team’s match against Real Sociedad in La Liga, saying that even though La Liga has good referees, the official of the day was polar opposite. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong had also questioned the referee’s behaviour.

Real Sociedad dented Barcelona’s title defence as Gonçalo Guedes inspired a surprise 2-1 La Liga victory on Sunday, handing Flick’s team their first loss in 12 games.

Barcelona, who struck the woodwork four times and had two goals ruled out, now lead rivals Real Madrid by just one point at the top of the table after Álvaro Arbeloa’s team defeated Levante on Saturday, January 17.

“We have to defend better. It was clear in the second goal. That goal killed us. La Liga have good referees, then there is this guy. I don’t want to waste more energy speaking to this guy," Flick said after the match.

“I was reading some comments before the match and everyone knows how he is. Everyone saw what he did tonight. Frenkie said that he was arrogant and he was right," Flick added.

Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal put the hosts ahead and after Marcus Rashford equalised for Barcelona, Guedes struck the winner.

La Real, now unbeaten in four games under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, had Carlos Soler sent off late but held firm to bag the victory and climb to eighth place.

“I said to the team we played well, we were unlucky. Some days are like this and you don’t know why you lose, but this is one day and now we have to focus on the next game," Flick told the media.

La Real goalkeeper Alex Remiro made multiple crucial saves to keep Barca at bay.

“Three great points and a great game. We have started this year in great form… this is the energy we have, how we have changed (recently)," Remiro said.

News sports football Hansi Flick Furious With Refereeing After Barcelona's Defeat: 'That Goal Killed...'

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