Hansi Flick Reveals Why Barcelona’s Pressing Has Declined This Season

‎Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, has indicated that the team is still adapting to its new defensive system this season, with the Blaugrana struggling to cope with opponents.

‎The high-press / high offside line approach hasn’t yielded the same rewards as last year.

‎Barcelona’s last clean sheet came in mid-September, and eight matches have passed since then. In that span, the defense has conceded 13 goals.

‎Flick, along with Pau Cubarsi and Eric García, has attributed the decline in pressing effectiveness this season to the forwards.

‎‘We’ve changed a lot of things’ Flick

‎Flick seemed to hint ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Club Brugge that he had been adjusting some aspects of their play.

‎However, he did again reference the loss of veteran Inigo Martinez, who was a stalwart at the back last season, and was allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia.

‎“Last season, Inigo Martinez was a great leader. We’ve changed a lot of things, and we’ve gone back to Cubarsi and Eric Garcia.

‎”They’ve done very well. Araujo also had a great game. Three center-backs can play. Other options are also possible,” Flick reasoned to Diario AS.

‎Differences between Barcelona this season and last

‎In terms of what else has changed, Flick pointed the finger at injuries. He has rarely been able to call upon his starting front three from last season.

‎“We can’t compare it to last season, because now we have several injured players. Last season Raphinha, Lewy, and Lamine were at their best, and they gave us a lot of confidence from the start of the season.

‎”We’ve lost a lot of players, but it looks like they’re coming back from injuries, and we have to see how they do.”

‎Barcelona now faces a crucial period without Pedri, the primary orchestrator of their midfield play.

‎At no point this season has Flick had all of last year’s starting XI available, except for Martínez.