Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has this week received something of a warning message, regarding his Blaugrana setup.
This of course comes amid a troubling couple of weeks for all associated with Barcelona.
The Blaugrana were first condemned to a first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
This was then followed by a 2nd loss on the spin, by way of a 4-1 La Liga drubbing at the hands of Sevilla.
Across these outings, Hansi Flick saw his system, particularly from a defensive standpoint, called into serious question once more.
As much came after Barcelona were repeatedly opened up, as PSG and Sevilla like took advantage of the Spanish champions’ high backline.
And as alluded to above, late this week, something of a warning has been sent the way of the Blaugrana’s headmaster as a result.
Speaking during an interview with Diario Sport, Manolo Márquez, former Las Palmas coach and a prominent figure in the Catalan football scene, had the following to say when drawn on Flick’s setup:
“If I have to say a negative part, it is that now, with so much information, so much video and so much I don’t know what, the opposing teams are getting the hang of it. People say ‘no, Iñigo Martínez has left’. But I don’t think it’s a question of Iñigo Martínez leaving, I think it’s a question of the teams, with that defense so advanced, they make it very easy for you, and if you’re not well, if you don’t press well…
“Everything has to be very coordinated because now the teams have already caught it”: “Practically the center forward no longer counts. Now the ones who count are those who come from behind, from the wings. And of course, Barça are having a hard time breaking that.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
