The football club Barcelona reached the second international break facing significant defensive issues. After a series of disappointing matches, including losses to PSG and Sevilla, experts and fans alike have been scrutinizing the defenders’ performance. This season, opponents are increasingly finding ways to break through the Catalans’ back line, something that was far less common in previous years.
Last year, under Hansi Flick’s leadership, the team displayed coordinated defensive play, effectively using the offside trap. At that time, Barcelona led all top European leagues in the number of offsides forced. On average, opponents were caught offside eight times per match, which helped minimize dangerous chances near their goal.
However, this season the situation has changed. In the first eight rounds, the average dropped to five offsides per game. This suggests that opponents have learned how to attack Barcelona’s high defensive line more effectively. In matches against Levante and Rayo Vallecano, the team conceded several fast counterattacks, and in the game against Real Sociedad at Montjuïc stadium, defensive coordination issues surfaced once again.
These difficulties became particularly acute after the departure of Iñigo Martínez, who was a key figure in the center of defense last season. His experience and leadership allowed his teammates to play in a more organized manner. Following his exit, the coaching staff was forced to restructure the defensive line, which led to a decrease in the effectiveness of the central defenders’ cooperation.
In recent matches, Hansi Flick has tried various player combinations, but has yet to find the optimal solution. For example, in the game against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and in the first half against Sevilla, Uruguayan Ronald Araújo was unable to prevent dangerous situations and also made a mistake that resulted in a penalty.
Within the squad, it is acknowledged that regaining former defensive reliability will require stronger team pressure on the opposition and better coordination between the lines. Players note that defensive success starts with active efforts from forwards and midfielders, who must be the first to confront the opponent’s attacks.
Ahead of the match against Girona at the Montjuïc stadium, the team aims to display a more focused game and restore its confidence. The club expects that analyzing mistakes and training sessions will help recover the previous level of defensive reliability and improve their league results.
