Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has criticized his players, despite the fact that he started the new Lalala campaign with a 3-0 win over Mallorca with nine men.
The defending champion started their title defense on a comfortable fashion when targets of Raphinha and Ferran Torres brought them firmly under control before the break. Lamine Yamal then added a stopping time to complete the three points.
On paper it seemed the perfect start for Flick and Barca, but the German manager remained far from impressed what he saw of the touchline.
Flick accused his players to pay off as soon as they had set an advantage of two goals, and insisted that their performance was alarmingly falling against one side that was reduced to nine men.
He said: 'I didn't like the game. They are three important points, but I didn't like it. After a 2-0 deficit and two red cards,
'I think the team played at 50 percent and I didn't like it. We can do better. '
'I don't like that they drop their guard. We had to control the ball and the game. We have to score.
'Playing with 50 or 60 percent against nine men is not possible. We have to play faster. We have to improve some situations. '
Despite doubts about whether he would be registered on time before the competition, Marcus Rashford was called on the bank.
He came up to make his debut in the 69th minute and became the first English player to play for Barca in a competitive game since Gary Lineker in 1989.
The 27-year-old, currently on a seasonal-hose loan from Manchester United, played like a center-forward, but was unable to register a scoring option.
Flick said: 'It was not a good role for Rashford, because there was no room. The players played at 50 percent. And Joan (Garcia) had a great game. He can continue like this. '