Following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick reaffirmed his commitment to the team’s attacking philosophy, refusing to alter his approach despite the match’s outcome.
Barcelona found themselves coming from behind three times at the Jan Breydel Stadium, with all of Brugge’s goals capitalizing on gaps in Barça’s high defensive line.
It’s been nine matches since the Catalan club last kept a clean sheet, their longest streak without one since 2013, leading to criticism of Flick’s high-risk strategies after the Belgian clash.
Despite the backlash, Flick is resolute that perseverance and intensity will enable his team to regain their form, emphasizing that a cautious, counter-attacking style isn’t in their playbook.
“We could opt for a low block and defend deeper in our own half,” Flick responded at a press conference when asked if a more conservative strategy should be considered. “Alternatively, we can stay committed to our principles and improve our execution. If we lack intensity, we have no chance in the Champions League. All teams can exploit fast transitions, and Brugge did that effectively, just as we anticipated.”
Flick expressed his views on the match, stating, “Regarding their first goal, in my opinion, it was definitely offside. We’re currently struggling with confidence. Discussions about overhauls are fine, but that’s not my style.”
“We want to adhere to our football philosophy; we won’t adopt a defensive block and aim for 1-0 wins. Although a 3-3 draw isn’t ideal, it’s encouraging that we managed to equalize each time. However, we must reflect on this match.”
“In midfield, we aren’t applying enough pressure or winning duels, which makes it challenging for our defense against their speedy players. We need to analyze everything and have discussions with the players.”
When pressed about making minor adjustments, Flick maintained his stance, expressing hope that returning players from injury would boost Barcelona’s performance.
“I’ve already addressed this earlier,” he added. “This isn’t how we envision changing. We are Barcelona, and we strive for an active, intense style of play, both with and without the ball. Currently, there are moments where we are falling short. This situation doesn’t alter our philosophy.”
“We recognize this isn’t an ideal phase for the team, but I maintain a positive outlook. We are working hard, and I believe we can elevate our game. When players like Raphinha, Joan García, and Pedri return, along with Dani [Olmo] and Robert [Lewandowski] possibly at a higher level, we may see an improvement.”
After their draw in Brugge, Barcelona sits 11th in the Champions League standings, earning seven points from four matches, while still holding the second position in LaLiga, five points behind Real Madrid as they prepare for their upcoming match against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong echoed Flick’s sentiments, asserting that improvements are essential rather than drastic changes.
“We recognize there are areas for adjustment, and we’re working diligently, but right now, we’re struggling to translate that onto the pitch,” De Jong stated. “We’re vulnerable on counter-attacks, which might be due to positioning or tracking runs… it’s likely a combination of factors. When you concede three goals, it’s tough to secure a win.”
De Jong also emphasized the need to stop comparing this season with last year, when Barcelona’s captivating play propelled them to a domestic treble, even though they fell short in the Champions League semis against Inter Milan.
“We need to leave last season behind,” he asserted. “We weren’t the best team in Europe last year, so continuous comparisons aren’t helpful. We must look forward. We didn’t win the Champions League, and we also conceded too many goals, so there is room for improvement.”