Pedri Shares Insight on Xavi’s Strict Fines and Hansi Flick’s Approach at Barcelona
The Barcelona midfielder Pedri has provided a unique window into the divergent approaches to discipline taken by current manager Hansi Flick and former coach Xavi. Speaking on ‘Martínez y Hermanos,’ Pedri explained the differences in the two coaches’ approaches to punishment.
Discipline has a high cost under Xavi. Pedri revealed that late participants were subject to heavy fines of €1,000 per minute. Since the fines doubled for every minute of late, the stakes were significantly higher. Because players were aware that being late may be an expensive error, this strategy made sure that punctuality was treated seriously.
Flick’s Distinct Style
Hansi Flick’s entrance altered the disciplinary environment. Pedri claims that the German coach chooses a more performance-based punishment rather than financial penalties. A player is benched for the following game or removed from the starting lineup if they come late.
When Jules Kounde, a consistent starter, was left off the starting lineup for the game against Alaves due to his tardiness to a team meeting earlier this season, Flick’s strategy was put into practice. Despite Kounde’s substitution in the second half, Barcelona managed to win 3-0.