Hansi Flick accused of using 'suicidal' tactics following another Barcelona defeat

Martin Macdonald

• 6 Oct 2025 07:00 CDT
• 2 min read

News

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick's tactics have been criticised by former Barca midfielder Gerard Lopez, following a second defeat within a week for the Blaugrana.

Last Wednesday, Barca succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The Parisians, despite missing four key players in Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, claimed all three points with the winning goal coming from substitute Goncalo Ramos, who edged in behind the opposition defence to score with a neat finish.

The lost goal was yet another example of a team taking advantage of the space in behind the Barca backline.

At the weekend, another defeat came at the hands of Sevilla, who beat the reigning La Liga champions 4-1. Again, Barca's extremely high line was exposed to devastating effect.

Gerard, who played for the senior Barcelona side between 2000 and 2005, believes Flick needs to change that high-line philosophy as it is beginning to cost the side on a regular basis.

"It's clear that there's a drop in results at FC Barcelona," the former player said following the defeat by Sevilla.

"What I do see is that the defeat could lead to a rethinking of the defensive aspect. It's one thing to push forward and do it well, as he's done on many occasions, and another to be... suicidal.

"Without putting the ball under pressure, teams have to constantly draw their line. In the end, [Flick] has been here for a year now, a year and a half, and we have to be critical of this Barca in terms of the way they defend.

"There was no intensity in the pressing, nor was there the necessary timing to enable Sevilla players on many occasions."

Following two straight defeats, Barcelona will be glad to see the international break which will allow for a recharge but when they return they face key fixtures versus Girona and Real Madrid in La Liga and Olympiakos in the Champions League.

After the opening nine matches of the new campaign in Spain, they are second in the table, two points adrift of rivals Madrid.

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