Barcelona Coach Hansi Flick Faces Criticism Following Champions League Draw in Bruges
BRUGES, Belgium – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is under fire following a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League, a result described by football icons as tactically flawed. The draw jeopardizes Barcelona’s chances of direct entry into the round of 16.
Ruud Gullit questioned Flick’s strategy on beIN Sports,asking,”Why stick to a plan that is doomed to fail?” He labeled the offensive approach with a vulnerable defense as “counterproductive” and “kamikaze-like,” noting Barcelona had to come back from behind three times against a Brugge side they previously defeated 4-0.
Thierry Henry, a former Barça striker, criticized the team’s repeated errors on CBS Sports, stating, “How long are we going to repeat the same thing? You should eliminate mistakes, not produce them yourself.” He emphasized the importance of both applying pressure and defensive work, including protecting their own goal.
Barcelona hasn’t recorded a clean sheet in nine competitive games, with their last shutout occurring on September 21st in a 3-0 win against Getafe FC.They currently trail league leaders Real Madrid by five points.
Spanish media outlets echoed the criticism. El país described a “terrifying collective vulnerability,” Mundo Deportivo labeled it a “defensive disaster,” and Marca warned that “Barça is playing with fire.”
Despite the backlash, Flick defended his approach, stating, “We can change some things but also stay true to our philosophy.We don’t have to change the way we play, we are Barça.”