Barcelona: Hansi Flick set for touchline ban ahead of El Clasico after sending off in Girona win

Hansi Flick could be set for a touchline ban for next week’s El Clasico after the Barcelona manager was sent off during his side’s last-gasp victory over Girona in LaLiga on Saturday. 

Ronald Araujo scored deep into second-half stoppage time to give Barcelona all three points at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and lift the Catalan club – for 24 hours at least – to the top of LaLiga. 

Pedri had given the hosts the lead before Axel Witsel’s sublime overhead kick brought the sides level before half-time. 

After the break, Barcelona dominated in large spells but, through a combination of wasteful finishing and dogged defending from the visitors, could not break their opponents down. 

That was until defender Araujo, utilised further up the pitch, popped up with the winner in the 94th-minute to send the home fans into raptures. 

However, with the scores still level, Flick was shown a second yellow card late on after it was adjudged he sarcastically applauded an officiating call. 

However, the 60-year-old German, who may now miss the crunch game with rivals Real Madrid next Sunday, said he was unaware of the reason behind the decision. 

“I didn’t do anything against anyone,” Flick insisted. 

“I applauded [Frenkie] de Jong on the first card, and on the second, I don’t know why he gave it to me. 

“I would never do anything against anyone. I didn’t say anything against the referee. I applauded to cheer on my team. 

“Now I don’t think about missing El Clasico. The referee didn’t want to talk to me, he left and I accepted it. He’s the referee.

“The referee makes his decisions and we have the VAR. The referee makes his decisions on the pitch. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, it’s his decision.”

Barcelona are currently top of the Spanish top-flight having played one game more than Real.

Xabi Alonso’s side could return to top spot, however, with victory away at Getafe on Sunday evening.