In the wake of Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick staunchly defended his team’s attacking philosophy, dismissing calls for a change in strategy. Barcelona faced significant challenges at the Jan Breydel Stadium, having to recover from conceding three goals, each of which highlighted weaknesses in their high defensive line. This match marks the Catalan side’s longest stretch without a clean sheet since 2013, prompting scrutiny of Flick’s high-risk tactics. Despite this, the German coach remains convinced that a focus on hard work and intensity is the key to regaining form, rather than adopting a more conservative, defensive style. “We could opt for a low block and defend primarily in our own half,” Flick stated in a press conference. “Instead, we will adhere to our philosophy and strive to enhance our performance. Without intensity, success in the Champions League is unattainable. Every team can exploit quick transitions, as Brugge effectively demonstrated.” Flick also pointed out a controversial decision regarding Brugge’s first goal, which he felt should have been ruled offside, and acknowledged that the team is currently lacking confidence. “While we could contemplate sweeping changes, that is not my approach as a coach,” he asserted. “We aim to play to our identity; our goal is not to settle for a 1-0 win through counter-attacks, even though a 3-3 result is not ideal. The fact that we equalized after every goal shows some resilience, but there is much to discuss regarding this match.” He identified midfield pressure and duel-winning as areas for improvement, stating, “Our last line of defense finds it challenging to contain fast players when we lack pressure on the ball. We will analyze these issues thoroughly and communicate with the players.” When asked about the possibility of minor tactical adjustments, Flick remained firm in his belief that the return of injured players will bolster the team’s performance. “I’ve addressed this previously; our approach will not change. We are Barcelona, committed to playing proactive, intense football, whether with or against the ball. Although we have occasionally faltered in these areas, this is not a matter of philosophy.” Flick acknowledged that the team is not currently in its best form but expressed optimism. “I think we can elevate our performance post-international break when players like Raphinha, Joan García, and Pedri return, alongside potential improvements from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.” Following the draw, Barcelona sits in 11th place in the Champions League standings with seven points from four matches, while maintaining second place in La Liga, five points behind Real Madrid ahead of their upcoming match against Celta Vigo. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong supported Flick’s sentiment, recognizing the need for adjustments rather than drastic changes. “We acknowledge that there are aspects to improve,” De Jong remarked. “While we are putting in hard work, it is not translating effectively on the pitch at the moment. Our counter-defense is currently weak, whether due to tracking runners or positional errors; it’s likely a combination of factors. Conceding three goals makes it challenging to secure victories.” De Jong also emphasized the importance of moving on from the previous season, where Barcelona won a domestic treble but faltered in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan. “We need to leave last year behind us. We were not the best team in Europe, so continual comparisons are unnecessary. We did not win the Champions League and conceded numerous goals, which necessitates improvement.”
