The triple error: ticket prices, statements and prioritizing Madrid

Flick's team selection and pre-match comments prioritized La Liga over Champions League, contributing to defeats against PSG and Real Madrid.

Barcelona manager Flick faced criticism for three strategic decisions in the lead-up to the Clásico. Despite stating at the season's start that the Champions League was the most important title, Flick rested key players Rodri and Pedri for the PSG match, fielding Balde, Bernal and Gavi instead—players he rarely uses. Barcelona lost that Paris fixture, then fell to Real Madrid on Sunday.

The article suggests that prioritizing La Liga over European competition may have affected the team's momentum and mentality heading into the Madrid clash. Additionally, Camp Nou's record ticket revenue came at the cost of inflated prices for non-season-ticket members and a failure to apply promised discounts, resulting in a stadium filled with wealthy tourists rather than passionate local supporters—creating a cold atmosphere unusual for a Clásico.

Further, comments from Barcelona's presidential advisor Enric Masip in the days before the match, while potentially accurate, may have motivated Real Madrid's dressing room. The article suggests restraint in public statements might have been wiser.