Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick revealed an unusual habit — he never watches penalties as they are being taken. This approach has been with him for a long time and serves as a way to cope with the intense pressure during decisive moments of a match.
Flick explained that this method helps him better manage stress and emotional tension. Although he does not watch penalties live, he reviews replays later on his tablet. He described it as a personal quirk but did not specify how it developed. Flick enjoys hearing the fans’ reaction when a penalty is scored, which serves as his cue for what happened.
According to Flick, he celebrates penalty goals like anyone else but intentionally looks away during the shot itself. This highlights the psychological intensity on the bench at such moments. He hopes Barcelona won’t need to settle the upcoming Champions League clash against Newcastle through a penalty shootout, as these situations are very stressful for him.
This insight into Flick’s mindset reveals how individual coping mechanisms affect coaches’ behavior and decision-making. Such details help fans better grasp not only the game on the pitch but also the emotions of those leading the team.
