Barcelona Coach Hansi Flick Sticks to Attacking Philosophy Despite Recent Draw

Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick reaffirmed his commitment to the team’s attacking philosophy after their 3-3 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday. Despite the match requiring Barça to come back from behind three times at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Flick remains steadfast in his approach, refusing to adopt a more conservative strategy.

The Catalan side has not kept a clean sheet in their last nine matches, marking their longest streak without one since 2013. Flick faced criticism for his high-risk tactics following the game in Belgium, where all of Brugge’s goals exploited Barcelona’s high defensive line.

In response to suggestions of a tactical shift, Flick emphasized that success lies in hard work and maintaining intensity rather than adopting a defensive posture. “We could easily revert to a low block and defend cautiously,” he stated during a press conference, “but we intend to adhere to our philosophy and improve our approach. In the Champions League, intensity is essential; teams can transition quickly, as Brugge demonstrated effectively.”

Flick noted issues with confidence and pressure in midfield as contributing factors to the team’s struggles, particularly against fast attackers. He expressed optimism that returning players from injury, including Raphinha, Joan García, and Pedri, will bolster the team’s performance.

“We are Barcelona, and our style is to play actively with intensity, both on and off the ball,” Flick affirmed. “While we acknowledge it’s not the best moment for the team, I remain positive that we can reach another level.”

Currently, Barça stands 11th in the Champions League with seven points from four matches while positioned second in La Liga, trailing Real Madrid by five points ahead of their upcoming match against Celta Vigo.

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong echoed Flick’s sentiments, acknowledging the need for adjustments rather than drastic changes. “We recognize that improvements are necessary,” he said, pointing to issues with counter-attacks and defensive positioning. “If we concede three goals, it’s challenging to secure a win.”

De Jong also urged the team to move on from last year’s successes, which included winning a domestic treble but falling short in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan. “We must leave last year behind and focus on our current performance,” he concluded.