Barcelona boss Hansi Flick takes blame for Osasuna loss: It's my responsibility

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has taken the blame for the 4-2 loss against Osasuna on Saturday, September 28. Barcelona decided to rotate their team a lot for the game against Osasuna.

In Short

• Barcelona decided to rotate their pack for Osasuna game
• Flick said that he had to accept the result as the team didn't play well on the day
• Barca remain at the top of the points table

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick took responsibility for his team's 4-2 defeat against Osasuna, acknowledging that his decision to rest key players contributed to their first La Liga loss of the season. Barcelona, who had won seven consecutive league games leading up to the match, were caught off guard by an energetic Osasuna side. The hosts were devastating on the counter-attack, with Croatian striker Ante Budimir scoring twice and Bryan Zaragoza wreaking havoc down the flanks throughout the game.

Flick had opted to rotate his squad with an eye on the upcoming Champions League fixture, leaving regular starters like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Inigo Martinez on the bench. However, the gamble backfired, as Osasuna took full advantage of the changes in Barcelona's lineup to hand the league leaders a surprising defeat.

Speaking after the loss, Flick said that he had to accept the result as the team didn't play well on the day. The Barca boss said he was trying to protect the players with the rotations and the team made a lot of mistakes.

"You have to accept these defeats. We didn't play very well. I think it's my responsibility," Flick told Movistar Plus.

"(With the rotations) I tried to protect the players, because they have been playing a lot of minutes. But I didn't expect us to play like this.

"We made a lot of mistakes and Osasuna did well. Although in the second goal I think there was a foul at the start of the action, I'm not entirely sure because I haven't been able to see it yet, but that's what I've heard.

"To score four goals against us is too much, but I've told the team that we have to keep going. It's a busy schedule and we are on the right track."

The defeat may have ended Barcelona's perfect start to the campaign, but they remain at the top of the points table. Barca have 21 points at the moment, 4 more than arch-rivals Real Madrid. Los Blancos will play Atletico Madrid in the derby on Sunday, September 29.