Pedri worked under both Xavi and Flick at Barcelona and spoke about the differences between the two coaches, especially when it came to discipline in an interview on ‘Martínez y Hermanos’. The Barca star revealed that Xavi will fine late players €1,000 per minute. The fine would also double for each additional minute of no attendance, meaning late players would be hit hard. However, it’s a completely different story under new boss Hansi Flick. If a player is late, the German simply removes him from the starting XI for the team’s next match or drops him altogether, according to Pedri.
Koundé martyred
Flick’s method has already been used this season when defender Jules Koundé was left out of Barca’s starting XI against Alaves earlier in the season after being late for a team meeting. Koundé had always been there for Flick before the match, but the German made the decision to bench his French star. The former Sevilla player finally came on as a second-half substitute in Barca’s 3-0 win.
Flick has enjoyed a bright start to his career at Barcelona since replacing Xavi. His team are currently nine points clear at the top of the table in Spain and have scored 40 goals in La Liga in 2024-25, the second best record in their history after their first 12 games of the season.
Barcelona will aim to maintain their great form at home and away ahead of the international break. Flick’s men next face Red Star in the Champions League, then travel to Real Sociedad in La Liga.
