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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick states he hopes to avoid his young family members witnessing the actions that led to his dismissal during the match against the Catalan rivals.

Flick was shown a yellow card for sarcastically clapping the fourth official when signaled additional time of stoppage time, following Barcelona's wasted opportunities with the game tied.

When replacement the defender scored a decisive goal for the club, Flick participated in the fans in wild celebrations and was given a another caution for making an obscene gesture.

"I dislike seeing myself in such a condition on television, and I don't want my grandchildren from observing their grandfather like that," the manager explained. "So I probably have to change my behavior."

The Coach Attributes Passion to Devotion for Barcelona

Speaking at a news conference before Barcelona meet Olympiacos in the Champions League, Flick attributed the gesture for which he was penalised to the depth of feeling he has for the club, which he has coached since this year.

He was manager at Bayern Munich when the German side became the first to score eight goals against Barca in over five decades in 2020, and states to have been understated on the sideline as his team advanced into a Champions League semi-final.

"I recall when I was coach of Bayern, the footage of the match against Barcelona revealed that I had the identical response to the initial, second and final goals," said Flick. "People remarked I never smiled! Right now I'm expressing greater passion, it's accurate, because this club has completely changed me."

"Maybe I should restrain my emotions, but I love Barcelona, the city and its people, and that's why I always put in maximum effort."

Suspension for El Clasico

The manager's red card includes a touchline ban which will confine him to the seating area of the stadium as his team play Real Madrid in the derby on Sunday – though Barcelona are challenging against the ruling.

Barca leader the president alleged a "white hand" was behind referee the referee's officiating against the opponent – referring to support for Real Madrid – though the coach himself declined to get involved in allegations of referee partiality.

"I had nothing against the referee," he stated. "I did not protest at him but he interpreted it that way and that's something I have to acknowledge."