It would be easy for Hansi Flick to make excuses and buy time.
Pedri and Raphinha are out. That hurts the offense. Joan García is out. That makes it easier for opponents to score goals.
Many fans will say, be patient, Barcelona will come good this season once they are fit and healthy again.
I can’t say I share the optimism, but I’d be glad to be wrong.
Barcelona are their own worst enemies at the moment. They’re making it way too easy on their opponents, regardless of how good or bad they are, to get in on goals, and have a chance to defeat the Catalan giants.
76% possession against Brugge, with 22 shots generated.
The difference is that Barcelona is shooting contested three pointers, while Brugge is biding their time defensively, and waiting for the easy layup.
If you are a manager going up against Hansi Flick, in many ways, you have the easiest job in the world. The winning formula could not be more obvious.
Barcelona at the moment have no plan B, and that’s a problem.
You certainly aren’t going to contend for the Champions League playing this way. You’ll also struggle to keep pace against Real Madrid in La Liga. If Barcelona wants silverware this season, they need to take matters into their own hands, and make changes in the areas that they have control over.
This team scares no one. A year ago, they did because they’re style was novel and brave. Now, it’s predictable and easy to plan for.
The philosophy goes that it’s ok if the other team scores goals, because Barcelona will simply score more. Does anyone believe that to be an effective strategy anymore?
Change has to start with their defensive approach. From the forwards all the way down to the goalkeeper, it will be a great disappointment if we don’t start to see Flick change his approach. The manager is in charge, and he has to take accountability.
Don’t listen to the fans and pundits. Look at the faces of your own players. From the body language, you are starting to see a team that is losing faith in the tactics.
The Barcelona players respect their coach, there’s no doubt about that. But that respect for the man has limits, and it’s separated from the game to game reality on the field where only results and performance matter.
The Blaugrana, regardless of injuries, are not as good as they were a year ago.
You can’t stay stagnant. Change is inevitable. You either improve or you regress.
Look in the mirror Hansi Flick. The power is in your hands.
The buck stops with the manager.
