FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has suffered a major personal loss just hours before tonight's "El Clasico" against rivals Real Madrid, after his father passed away.
Flick, 61, can secure a second consecutive La Liga title if Barcelona can beat Real Madrid, but the eventual triumph will have a bitter taste for the German coach, who is going through difficult times after the loss of his father.
Barcelona has reacted with an official statement in support of its coach during this painful period.
The Catalan club announced that it stands by the former Bayern Munich coach after the heavy family loss.
"FC Barcelona and the entire Blaugrana family would like to express their condolences and support to Hansi Flick following the passing of his father. We share his pain and are close to him and his family at this very difficult moment," the club said in a statement.
According to reports, Flick will be on the bench for Barcelona tonight for the match against Real Madrid.
The German coach has been a key factor in Barcelona's resurgence on the pitch, despite the club's continued financial problems off it.
Last season, Flick managed to win the Copa del Rey and La Liga in his first season in charge of the Catalan club.
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