Flick demands Barca focus more after Liga slump

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his team to show more concentration in La Liga on Saturday after a dismal run of domestic form. 

While the Catalan giants are flying high in the Champions League, second in the group with direct qualification to the last 16 already secured, domestically they have dropped behind their title rivals.

Barcelona have won just one of their last eight league games and trail league leaders and reigning champions Real Madrid by seven points.

The Blaugrana, third, are also five points behind Atletico Madrid going into this weekend´s round of fixtures.

“I think you can have a feeling that in La Liga we´re missing 5-10 percent, it´s like that and this is what we have to change,” Flick told a news conference ahead of Sunday´s home clash with Valencia.

Last weekend Barcelona could only muster a 1-1 draw against Getafe, 16th.

“I think in Getafe it was our fault we didn´t end this match with three

points -- it has nothing to do with Getafe,” continued Flick.

“It´s like we´re not playing well, we´re not focussed and this is what we have to do.

“We have to be focussed from the beginning to the end of the match and this is what I want from the team.”

Valencia, 19th, are playing well under new coach Carlos Corberan and are hoping to fight their way up the table.

“They stabilised their defence and they really know how to play football,” said Flick.

“Their defence is doing really well and we have to create chances and score goals -- it´s not so easy.” Atletico Madrid host Villarreal while Real Madrid visit Valladolid, both on Saturday.