Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has made it clear he will not change his attacking philosophy, even after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League. The Catalan side came from behind three times but continued to struggle defensively as Brugge repeatedly exploited their high defensive line. Below you will see complete information that has been summarized by The Football Insight.
It marked the ninth consecutive match in which Barcelona failed to keep a clean sheet—their longest streak since 2013. Despite growing criticism, Flick remained firm that his team must stick to its core principles rather than resorting to conservative football.
“We can defend deep and play for 1-0 wins,” Flick said, “but that’s not our DNA. We want intensity, we want to attack, and we must improve within our philosophy—not abandon it.” He emphasized that high pressing and aggression are essential to competing with Europe’s best teams.
Admitting Flaws But Defending the Vision
While Hansi Flick defended his tactical setup, he acknowledged Barcelona’s current problems in midfield and defense. He pointed out the lack of pressing and poor one-on-one duels that left the backline exposed against Brugge’s rapid attackers. “When we don’t win the ball in midfield, the last line suffers. We must analyze everything,” he admitted.
Flick also cited confidence as an issue, noting that the team hesitated in key moments. However, he dismissed the idea of drastic changes, saying that adjusting details, not the system, would help the team recover.
“We are Barcelona. Our style is to be active, with and without the ball,” Flick insisted. “When the intensity drops, the performance drops. This is not about tactics—it’s about energy and confidence.”
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Injuries and Optimism for Improvement
Despite the recent struggles, Flick expressed optimism that returning players would strengthen the team after the international break. He mentioned Raphinha, Pedri, Joan Garcia, Dani Olmo, and Lewandowski as key figures who could raise the squad’s level.
“I believe we can play at another level once everyone is back,” he said. “It’s not our best moment, but I am always positive. We work hard, and the results will come.”
Barcelona currently sit 11th in the Champions League standings with seven points from four matches and remain second in La Liga, five points behind Real Madrid. Flick maintained that his long-term vision remains unchanged—to rebuild Barcelona’s dominance through belief in their football identity.
Frenkie de Jong Backs Flick’s Belief
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong echoed Flick’s stance, admitting that while improvements are necessary, the philosophy should stay intact. “There are things to fix, yes, but we can’t lose who we are,” he said after the game.
De Jong identified Barcelona’s weakness on the counterattack as a key problem but called for unity and focus rather than panic. “We’re not translating our hard work into performances right now, but we’ll get there,” he added.
The Dutch international also urged fans and media to stop comparing this season with last year’s treble-winning campaign. “We must leave that in the past. We weren’t the best in Europe then, and we aren’t now—but we can be better. The focus must be on improving, not looking back.” Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest La Liga news with just a click at footballcoasters.co.uk.