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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says he does not want his grandchildren to see the behaviour which earned him a red card against Girona on Saturday.

The 60-year-old was shown a yellow card for sarcastically clapping the fourth official when he indicated four minutes of stoppage time, after Barcelona missed chances with the match level.

When substitute Ronald Araujo did turn home a late winner for Barca, Flick joined the home crowd in wild celebrations and was shown a second yellow card for making an obscene gesture.

Speaking at a news conference before Barcelona face Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday, Flick attributed the raised finger for which he was penalised to the depth of feeling he has for the club, which he has managed since May 2024.

Flick was head coach at Bayern Munich when the German side became the first to score eight goals against Barcelona in more than 50 years in 2020, and claims to have been understated on the touchline as his team breezed into a Champions League semi-final.

“I remember when I was coach of Bayern Munich, the footage of the match against Barca showed that I had the same reaction to the first, second and eighth goals,” said Flick. “People said I never smiled!

“Right now I’m showing more emotion, it’s true, because this club has completely changed me.

“Maybe I should control my impulses, but I love Barca, Barcelona and its people, and that’s why I always give my all.”

Flick’s red card comes with a touchline ban which will confine him to the stands of the Bernabeu as his team play Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday (15:15 BST) – though Barcelona are appealing against the decision.

Barca president Joan Laporta alleged a “white hand” was behind referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s officiating against Girona – referring to support for Real Madrid – though Flick himself refused to get drawn into suggestions of officiating bias.

Before their teams meet in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is the man that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refers to as “looks up to” and says he admires the Argentine success.

Simeone has been in charge of the Spanish side since December 2011 making it his 14th year.

That is more than any of the current Premier League managers.

Arteta joined Arsenal in December 2019 as the second manager with the longest tenure in English football.

Pep Guardiola, who moved to Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016, is now behind him.

The Gunners boss was questioned about Simeone’s influence during her tenure in charge.

Before Tuesday’s game, Arteta said, “Well, obviously there is someone that I look up to and learn from, and what is outstanding is his passion.”

“I wonder how long he’s been playing the game and playing for the same club with the same players, and how you still have that hand and the ability to transmit such a spirit and win,” he said.

You have to be extraordinary to keep convincing players, they say, and it’s a very tough environment in which we live.

“I don’t know him personally, but everything I’ve heard about him is how excellent he is at that.” One of the reasons you are able to maintain that level is because of it.

Arteta described Simeone’s work as “outstanding” and claimed he would possess the attributes necessary to be a hit in the Premier League.

The Arsenal boss said, “If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere.”

“You have to try it and feel it, but I’m confident that his skill and character will take him anywhere,” he said.

The Atletico head coach has also reached two Champions League finals, two La Liga titles, two Europa League victories, one Copa del Rey, and two Uefa Super Cups.

Arteta emphasized the Spanish team’s defensive prowess, as Atletico are known for their tough opposition.

You can tell from the way they play, “First of all, the willingness to win,” that you can see in every ball, every yard, and every yard. Arteta remarked.

“So it’s about how they play first, and then how they play.”

They have a lot of talent that are very specific for the needs and the way they want to play, and they are very good at utilizing those opportunities, according to the statement “the level of organization is really high, the level of discipline is really high, and they have really good organizational skills.”

Arsenal have won the Champions League’s opening two games without conceding a goal.