The father of Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has reportedly died ahead of the Clasico, the Catalan club said in a statement released on Sunday.
“Barcelona and the entire Blaugrana family wish to convey our affection to Hansi Flick over the passing of his father,” said Barcelona.
“We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family.”
Flick, 61, is on the verge of securing back-to-back La Liga titles with Barcelona.
The German tactician’s team leads Real Madrid by 11 points with four matches remaining and can secure the trophy if they avoid defeat by Los Blancos at Camp Nou on Sunday.
If Barcelona wins their final four league games this season, beginning with a clash against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fractured Madrid in Catalonia, they will equal the all-time league record of 100 points.
If Barcelona defeats Madrid and then Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first side to win all of their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.
The tension around Madrid following a season in which they will finish without a trophy for only the fifth time this century erupted in a spectacular way this week.
