Hansi Flick has issued a brutal and direct warning to one of Barcelona’s struggling stars, demanding immediate improvement.

Barcelona are currently navigating a severe defensive injury crisis that has left the squad desperately thin at the back, with multiple key defenders sidelined ahead of upcoming fixtures.

Yet, despite this alarming lack of personnel, tensions behind the scenes are reaching a boiling point.

Hansi Flick’s frustration with an underperforming member of the squad has only intensified, creating a toxic internal dynamic that completely defies logic given the team’s desperate need for defensive bodies.

The player at the center of this growing friction is Spanish full-back Alejandro Balde, whose difficult situation under Flick has deepened drastically, according to El País.

Despite an injury crisis involving players like Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia, Balde remains completely on the fringes, having logged a meager 88 minutes across the last 12 matches.

Flick’s anger stems from the player’s disappointing attitude and lack of intensity in training, with the German manager publicly noting that the defender lacks the necessary conviction to press high and execute the high-stakes tactical demands required in his system.

Flick’s willingness to experiment with midfielders like Frenkie de Jong in defense rather than trust the out-of-favour Spaniard speaks volumes about his plummeting standing.

Having rejected potential exits in the past, Balde’s refusal to step up his work rate has severely tested the coaching staff’s patience.

Ultimately, this untenable standoff cannot persist much longer.

With the relationship between the manager and the player deteriorating by the week, Barcelona’s hierarchy will likely be forced to seek a definitive resolution when the transfer window reopens.

Whether through a permanent sale or a temporary loan, Balde’s alarming stagnation under Flick points toward an inevitable departure as the German coach demands total commitment to his rigorous sporting project.