Photo via @FabrizioRomano on X

What happened: Barcelona manager Hansi Flick told reporters he will not be watching Real Madrid's match, joking that teammates will update him via the squad's WhatsApp group if anything happens. The quote, relayed by Fabrizio Romano, comes as Barcelona sit one step from clinching the La Liga title. Flick has separately said he would rather watch a magic show with his wife than tune into the Madrid fixture.

Why it matters: The dismissive tone underscores Barcelona's confidence atop the table and frames the looming El Clásico as a potential coronation rather than a must-watch scouting assignment. Ferran Torres echoed the mood, telling media he would prefer to wrap up the title before next week's Clásico. The psychological positioning matters in a rivalry where public posture often shapes the narrative heading into a decisive match.

What to watch: Watch whether Barcelona can mathematically secure the title before El Clásico, and how Real Madrid responds to Flick's pointed remarks. A Barca clinching result would shift the Clásico from title decider to celebration fixture.

Sources