What went down before the 6‑0 win
It was a sunny Sunday in Barcelona and the La Liga champs were set to host Valencia. Everyone expected the usual starting trio of Messi‑era stars, and Raphinha, who had been on the pitch for the last three games, was a lock – or so it seemed.
When the line‑up was announced, though, the Brazilian winger was on the bench. Instead, 19‑year‑old Roony Bardghji, who joined the club over the summer, got the nod to start. The media buzzed with a simple story: Raphinha was late to a pre‑match muscle‑activation session.
Late? In Flick’s world, that’s a big deal. The German‑born manager has built his Barcelona tenure on punctuality, treating the clock like a non‑negotiable rule. The late arrival, whether a genuine mistake or a mis‑communication, prompted him to sit the winger out.
But the story didn’t stop there. In the second half, Flick handed Raphinha a chance. The Brazilian came on, found space, and scored twice, capping a dominant display that left Valencia looking lost.
Flick’s discipline policy in practice
When reporters pressed Flick after the final whistle, he shrugged off the specifics. "I’m not going to go into details," he said, steering the conversation toward Bardghji’s impressive debut. The manager’s choice to keep the focus on the youngster rather than the controversy showed his skill at managing narratives.
Flick isn’t new to this strict‑timekeeping approach. French defender Jules Koundé, for instance, has been benched before for arriving late to training. The pattern is clear: tardiness equals a seat on the bench, regardless of a player’s reputation.
Other players have reportedly faced similar consequences, though they haven’t made headlines. The message is simple – the squad’s success hinges on everyone respecting the schedule.
- Jules Koundé – dropped for repeated lateness.
- Pedri – reportedly warned after a minor delay.
- Ferran Torres – fined for missing a pre‑match meeting.
All of this underscores Flick’s ability to enforce rules while keeping the locker room vibe intact. Raphinha’s two goals after coming off the bench proved that discipline doesn’t have to create lasting friction; it can actually fuel performance.
The 6‑0 thrashing of Valencia added another chapter to Barcelona's strong start to the season. The team showed that even when star players face a short‑term sanction, the overall machine keeps humming. Flick’s balanced blend of firmness and humility keeps the squad focused on the big picture – winning matches and staying on schedule.
As the league rolls on, fans will be watching to see whether the manager’s punctuality rule continues to shape line‑ups, and how players respond when the clock ticks against them. One thing’s for sure: the Barcelona bench will stay interesting as long as Flick keeps his watch hand steady.