The Celta-Barça game has left open wounds in Hansi Flick's locker room. Gavi, playing Gündoğan at just 20 years old, has managed to wreak havoc in the locker room with his criticism toward his teammates.
Gavi: Like Gündoğan
Now Hansi Flick has a problem he hadn't expected. The harmony in the locker room has been key to the success of the first third of the season. Now it's in danger of being blown up.
Just as Gündoğan did when he pointed the finger at Araújo for his expulsion against PSG, Gavi didn't hold back. He has publicly accused Koundé and Casadó of being directly responsible for the two points that Barça dropped in Vigo.
Barça was comfortably winning 0-2 at Balaídos and the match seemed over. But Koundé made a childish mistake that led to Vigo's first goal. Casadó did the rest with his expulsion, leaving Barça with 10 players.
"The first goal was a stupid goal. We must learn to clear out the ball, but oh well. We have to learn from this and with one less player we did what we could. If you're not focused, what happens happens." This is what Gavi said after the match.
Bad Faces on the Return Trip from Vigo
His words have had consequences: bad faces on the return trip. This is just what Flick wanted to avoid, since the good vibes between the players are his secret for success.
Casadó also spoke: "We had the game under control, but the expulsion left a deep mark on us. They scored against us in two specific plays and we have to learn from that. We can't be sent off because otherwise this happens."
It is striking that Gavi should express himself this way regarding Casadó's expulsion. He knows very well what it means to be sent off, given his play style.
Koundé and Casadó have been the first to criticize themselves. While the youth player apologized for his expulsion, Koundé admited that he didn't have his day in Vigo. What bothered both of them, however, is that Gavi made his criticism publicly.
Koundé's Explanations
The French defender admitted that "I didn't have a good game from the start, and there was a lack of concentration. And in the end I paid dearly for it in a very simple play."
About his mistake: "It was a gross mistake and then we fell down while they rose. I accept that mistake, which puts us in a difficult situation with ten men as well."
He also publicly regretted his mistake in not following a play that ended in a goal disallowed for Celta because the ball had already gone out of play. Koundé didmn't follow the play, waiting for the referee to signal the infringement.
"Although I can see clearly that the ball is out, I have to move on. These are details that indicate that I was not involved. I assume that they tied the match partly because of me."
"Maybe we took it a bit too easily," he admitted, adding: "We didn't play well at all levels."