21/02/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | FEB 21, 2026

29 Flick under spot light Scrutiny rises as Barca seek recovery after two consecutive defeats S INCE Hansi Flick arrived in Barcelona in 2024, things have largely gone better than even he might have hoped, at least and potentially reclaim top spot from rivals Real Madrid, who visit Osasuna in an earlier match. However with the injuries they have had this season, perhaps partly due to wear-and-tear due to Flick’s demands over pressing, they are cre ating less and finishing more ineffi ciently. have a fast striker. We have the quality and this is what I want to see,” said Flick last week, although recent results suggest perhaps he should look to tweak things more reactively. Against Atletico the pace of wing

a good moment,” admitted Flick. “I gave the team two days off, because I think it’s important that they reset.” The coach said his side, who hope to have playmaker Pedri Gonzalez back in action against Levante after injury, may be tired but also needed to buck up their ideas. “(Mistakes) could be something to do with if they are tired, not fresh enough, but at the end we have to have the hunger to win the games,” said Flick. “When they come back I want another mentality, another level, they (must) train and play at.” Since Flick arrived Barca have played an ultra-attacking style with a high defensive line, leading to a lot of high-scoring games.

Los Blancos moved two points ahead of Barca last weekend and stayed there as Flick’s side crumbled in a 2-1 defeat at neighbours Girona on Monday. That was hot on the heels of a 4-0 humiliation by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, arguably Barca’s worst performance since Flick’s arrival. Barca protested officiating mis takes in both games, and although the refereeing technical committee later admitted some fault, it does not absolve the Blaugrana of two worry ing displays. “We are not in a good mood, not in

until the past week. Revitalising the Catalan giants and inspiring them to a domestic treble last season, as well as steering them to the final four of the Champions League for the first time in six years was an excellent accomplishment. The current campaign has been a bumpier ride, in part due to injury problems, but Barca were still going strong until two consecutive defeats sapped morale as the business end of the season approaches. Barca host Levante tomorrow (11.15pm Malaysian time) at the Nou Camp as they aim to get back on track S E R IE A LEADE RS Inter Milan travel to a resurgent Lecce tomorrow (1am) without leading light Lautaro Martinez after the mid week loss to Bodo/Glimt. Argentina attacker Martinez was replaced in the second-half of Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League playoff loss in Norway. Italian media reported the 28-year-old club captain is suffering from a calf issue, which coach Christian Chivu blamed on the artificial pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion. “I’m not a doctor and I can’t talk about recovery times,” Chivu told reporters after the defeat in wintry Norwegian conditions. “After he undergoes the tests, we’ll understand the severity of the injury,“ the former Inter defender added. The loss in Norway puts Inter at risk of missing out on the Champions League last 16, with the return leg at the San Siro on Wednesday (4am). “I’m having a hard time saying how much it got out of hand,”Inter attacker Pio Esposito said after the match. “It’s a heavy defeat, but we have another chance and we’ll have to fight for it. Qualification is still possible,” he added. This weekend, Chivu’s men visit Lecce, who have won two games on the bounce. A win on the heel of Italy would give the 20 time champions a 10-point lead over local rival AC Milan, who host on Monday (1am). “Now we need to take stock because after this match, there are a few minor prob lems,“ Chivu said. “We play Lecce in three days, then we can think about the return leg,” the Romanian 45-year-old added. Elsewhere in the race for the Scudetto , third-placed Napoli go to Atalanta with Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay set to return from injury for the champions. McTominay has quickly become a cult hero at Napoli, where he scored the goal which saw them lift last season’s Scudetto and earned a Ballon d’Or nomination. RB LEIPZIG host in-form Borussia Dortmund tomorrow (1.30am) in the Bundesliga with hopes of Champions League football next season fading away. However, with Dortmund coach Robert Kovac facing an injury crisis in defence and Leipzig holding a recent hoodoo over the visitors, Ole Werner and his side could be cautiously optimistic. Despite missing out on European football last season, Leipzig have not benefitted from their reduced workload this term and sit fifth in the

ers Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone helped rip Barca’s defence to shreds. Although Barca are firm favourites against Levante, 19th, the trio of games which follow, leading into the Champions League last 16, are key to stopping the season from spiralling away from them. They next host high-flying Villarreal, before the Copa semifinal second leg against Atletico and a tricky visit to the San Mames to play Athletic Bilbao. – AFP

Both central strikers, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, are out of form in 2026. The defence, meanwhile, is as porous as ever and with Pedri miss ing eight of the last 14 league games, they have struggled for control in midfield. Flick’s recent comments about not adjusting his approach regardless of the opponent Barca face are cause for concern. “I don’t take care if (the oppo nents) play five at the back or if they

Inter limp to Lecce after Bodo humbling

Endrick adds class as Lyon can’t stop winning CLO S E to bankruptcy just eight months ago, seven-time French champions Lyon have bounced back in style and after a remarkable winning run, a late challenge for the Ligue 1 title is not out of the question. The club’s very survival seemed in doubt when they were condemned to relegation to the second division last June as a punishment for the state of their finances. They successfully appealed, but Eagle Football Group, the holding company which runs the club, announced in November that losses for last season were over €200 million (RM920m), with total debts above €500 million (RM2.3b). The off-field situation has stabilised since American busi nesswoman Michele Kang replaced John Textor as club presi dent, and the focus is almost entirely on what happens on the pitch. Lyon head to Strasbourg on Monday (3.45am) on a run of 13 consecutive wins in all competitions, a streak that has taken them to the last 16 of the Europa League and the quar terfinals of the French Cup. Seven of those victories have been in Ligue 1, propelling Lyon to third place, five points better off than Marseille in fourth, and on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2019/20. Things could get even better. Lyon are only seven points behind surprise leaders Lens with 12 games left. A first league title since 2008 is not beyond the realms of possibility. “It is magnificent what the players have done up to now,” said coach Paulo Fonseca after the 2-0 win over Nice last weekend. “Things are going well for us, but we need to carry on with the same humility and only think about the next match.” The good news ahead of the trip to Strasbourg is that Endrick is available again after serving a suspension. The 19-year-old starlet joined Lyon in January on loan from Real Madrid in an attempt to force his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup. He has scored five goals in six appearances, giving Lyon an attacking presence they sorely lacked in the first half of the campaign following the departures of Rayan Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze last summer. A 14th straight victory would equal the club record, set in 2006 when they were France’s dominant side. But a trip to the Stade de la Meinau to play European con tenders Strasbourg is arguably the toughest test they have faced since their winning run began. – AFP

Bodo’s Kasper Waarst (left) against Inter’s Lautaro Martinez during the CL playoff match at Aspmyra Stadion on Wednesday. – AFPPIC

strategy being heavily scrutinised. Juventus are another Italian club reeling from a European disaster as they host Como, who drew 1-1 with AC Milan on Thursday. Juve were hammered 5-2 by Galatasaray on Tuesday leaving their last 16 hopes dan gling by a thread. – AFP/Agencies

His success since moving to Napoli has led to frequent questions about whether he should have been allowed to leave Manchester United to begin with. The Red Devils’ struggles in the Premier League in recent years have opened them up for major criticism, with their transfer

Leipzig host red-hot Dortmund with European hopes slipping away

final, Borussia have only won two of 10 games against the Red Bulls in all competitions. Leipzig coach Werner promised yesterday that his side would do their part to ensure it was an entertaining fixture. “We’re not known for playing cautiously and we won’t do that against Dortmund either,“ he said. “We have to be at our best at all times.” Elsewhere, leaders Bayern host Eintracht Frankfurt today (10.30pm) and Leverkusen could leapfrog Leipzig when they travel to Union Berlin. – AFP

tomorrow’s match. “We’re not underestimating Leipzig, despite their recent results,” Kovac said. “They play just once a week, can prepare everything and are fresh.” Indeed, recent history suggests the Bundesliga’s form side can take nothing for granted when they travel to the Red Bull Arena. Leipzig have won their past five home matches against Dortmund by a cumulative score of 13-2. Since Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho inspired Dortmund to victory over Leipzig in the 2021 German Cup

Dortmund, on the other hand, march into the fixture in great form. With only one league defeat this season, Dortmund have gone up a gear in 2026. The 2024 Champions League finalists are on a six-match winning run in the Bundesliga and have drawn six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who were 11 points clear at Christmas. It’s not all plain-sailing though as Kovac confirmed yesterday Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Suele, Emre Can and Filippo Mane will not return for

league table, one point ahead of sixth placed Bayer Leverkusen who have a game in hand. After a strong start to the season, winning eight and losing just once in a 10-match run, Leipzig have struggled. The club have not won two league games in a row since early November and have won just three of their past 10 matches in all competitions. Again missing out on Europe’s top competition and the riches it brings would be a blow to the Red Bull backed club, who have one of the most talented rosters in German football.