I completely understand. There are things that are more important than football, says Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after the 3-1 win in the La Liga derby at home against Espanyol.
Injured Ferran Torres wrote on Instagram that he did not have the strength to watch the match at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on site. Torres was born in the Valencia municipality of Foios.
"A war scenario"
Over 200 people have died in the floods that have hit eastern Spain after heavy rainfall. In the worst affected region of Valencia, the situation is described as "a war scenario" and now the authorities have issued a new warning for heavy rain in the area.
Valencia's arena Mestalla has been converted into a relief center and Saturday's home match against Real Madrid was cancelled. Even Villarreal-Rayo Vallecano will be played on another day, but the other matches in the La Liga round have not been moved.
A decision that has received criticism.
It is clear that there is no logic in it, said Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone ahead of Sunday's home match against Las Palmas.
Atlético won 2-0 after the Argentine coach's son Giuliano Simeone showed the way with his first A-team goal for the club.
I am very happy about my first goal for Atlético, but we cannot ignore everything that is happening in Valencia, all the victims there. I send my thoughts and strength to them, says Giuliano Simeone.
Defending the decision
La Liga's chairman Javier Tebas defends the decision to play eight league matches during the weekend.
"In the terrible situation that Spain is going through, we believe that the best message is not to stop (playing football), except in the affected areas", wrote Tebas in a post on X.
The league has announced that it is collaborating with the Red Cross to collect money for the affected areas during TV broadcasts of the matches.
All La Liga matches during the weekend began with a minute of silence.
