The two faces of Hansi Flick's Barcelona, ​​as powerful in attack as it is fragile in defence

It was a strange morning yesterday at the Ciutat Esportiva in Barcelona. There were optimists, those who, for example, highlighted the inclusion of Dani Olmo in what, according to the same sources in the sports area, is “the best midfield” that Barça can field: mixing the Catalan attacking midfielder with De Jong and Pedri. But there were also members of the coaching staff who were concerned about the number of goals that Barcelona have conceded, especially those that they have conceded in the final stages of the match. “We are angry about the last ten minutes,” complained Pau Cubarsí, after the draw against Atlético in Montjuïc.

In the 39 games that Barcelona have played this season, they have scored 120 goals. An average of 3.07 goals per game. In the 2011-2012 campaign, for example, Guardiola's last in charge, Messi's Barça had scored a total of 190 goals, with an average of 2.9 per game. It turns out that the virtue of Flick's team in the opposition's area becomes a defect in their goal: they have conceded 43 goals (1,102). A figure that becomes more worrying when it is noted that 30% of the goals received have occurred during the last 15 minutes. "We have to learn from these things, especially how to have the ball," analysed Pedri, the compass of the Barça team.

After Christensen was given the all-clear yesterday, Barça no longer have any injured players. Except for Ter Stegen and Bernal, who are not expected to return until next season. In other words, Flick already has all his boys. However, even though the German has managed to get “18 players” plugged in, the squad lacks resources. It does not have reliable substitutes for the full-backs, nor a striker who can overshadow Lewandowski. But above all, it lacks a replacement midfielder with the ability to slow down games.

Against Atlético, for example, to refresh the team, Flick sent on Fermín and Gavi, two players who bring speed, mainly intensity, but who do not have the technical or tactical fundamentals to tame the ball in moments of chaos. Although the presence of De Jong speeds up the movement of the ball in the centre of the field, when Pedri's energy runs out, Barça is left without a pause. Against Simeone's team, Flick had to place the central defender Eric García as a pivot to try to avoid the duel being played blow by blow. The presence of Eric García, however, did not counteract the energy of Fermín and Gavi, a resource that left the defence without protection, at the mercy of Sorloth and company.

Although, unlike Atlético, Barça are not a team built to defend, the four goals they conceded at Montjuïc not only left the tie open, but also raised an old concern in the coaching staff. “We have to work. We have a very young team, but they have scored four goals against us. It is too much,” stressed the German. Barcelona attack, but at times forget to defend. A handicap that not even Cubarsí’s talent can save them from.