Despite the significant win, Barcelona’s players Yamal and Dani Olmo were unhappy with coach Hansi Flick’s decision to substitute them, feeling it was unjustified, especially as many believed Robert Lewandowski should have been replaced instead.
With Barcelona playing a man down after Coparsi’s early red card, Lewandowski, whose performance had noticeably declined due to his age and lack of speed, struggled to exert pressure on Benfica’s defense. However, he remained on the field until the final minutes, with Flick making the substitution just ten minutes before the end.
Yamal and Olmo, both younger and more energetic, felt that it would have been more logical to substitute Lewandowski, given his lackluster performance. Their frustration with Flick’s decision grew as they felt their speed and vitality could have been more beneficial, especially under the challenging circumstances of the match. Though Barcelona secured a crucial win, tensions in the locker room rose as they disagreed with the coach’s choices, questioning his decision-making.
