Hansi Flick's lethal weapon no longer makes the difference » How opponents counter Barcelona's strategy
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:38 / Updated Saturday, October 18, 2025 10:40
There was a time when Barcelona were causing big problems with their ultra-advanced defense and offside play. But compared to the first season with Hansi Flick, los blaugranas no longer defend as well and the trap set by the German coach has lost much of its effectiveness.
The statistics speak for themselves about how the approach of the Spanish champion's rivals has changed in the current season. From the average of 8 positions out of the game per match in which the Catalan team surprised its opponents, it reached only 5!
Six goals conceded with PSG and FC Sevilla. And zero points!
A decrease of 37.5%, which is reflected inversely proportionally in the number of opportunities at Barcelona's goal and, implicitly, of the goals scored by Hansi Flick's team.
Only in the last two games, the team that will play today, from 17:15, the Catalan derby against Girona on Montjuic has six passive goals and two failures: 1-2 with PSG in the Champions League and 1-4 at Sevilla in the championship.
Hansi Flick / Imago Images
“Criticisms focused on the number of chances the opponents created in the first two months of the season. On “Sánchez-Pizjuán”, the hosts managed to play behind Barcelona's defense in many situations. It was difficult to see last season, when Flick's team managed to defend so well”, writes the daily MARCA.
The German coach insists on positioning his defenders near the midfield line, but his effectiveness in forcing opponents into offside has greatly diminished.
Barcelona caught their opponents offside 289 times in the last championship! By more than 100 compared to the second place
In the last championship, Barcelona forced no less 289 offsides and it was the European Top 5 team that benefited the most from this strategyover 100 positions out of the game ahead of the second-placed team in La Liga!
Jules Kounde and his colleagues from the Barcelona defense left Kylian Mbappe offside eight times in the derby with Real Madrid (4-0) a year ago / Photo: Imago
Barcelona showed weaknesses in defence. The double inferiority of those from Mallorca in the first stage meant that the team did not suffer, but in the next two matches, the opponents had numerous opportunities.
“Levante capitalized on two quick counter-attacks to lead 2-0. Rayo Vallecano systematically foiled the offside traps on numerous occasions, but Joan García was Barcelona's hero, saving the result with his saves.” noted the same source.
However, PSG took advantage most clearly and often. The decline in effectiveness in this strategy was confirmed in Seville. Cubarsí was very critical of the pressure exerted by his colleagues: “We have to stay high like last season, everything starts from there. It's a turning point.”
The departure of Inigo Martinez devastated Pau Cubarsi!
The best proof was the derby a year ago with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, Barcelona players leaving their rivals offside 12 times. Only Kylian Mbappe was caught in eight situations!
Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo do not form a formidable defensive tandem this season at Barcelona / Photo: Imago
Flick lost much of his weapon's effectiveness after Inigo Martinez left for Saudi Arabia. The plans of the German coach have changed, so that Pau Cubarsi has been moved to the left, but he does not feel comfortable there.
“Araujo was his most used partner. Despite a good start, the relationship between the two is not the same as with Iñigo.
Barcelona's dressing room analyzed the errors made and everyone is confident that they will show a different image in the duel with Girona, from Montjuïc”. MARCA concludes.
