Hansi Flick has been the subject of plenty of criticism after Barcelona’s two defeats against PSG and Sevilla last week, but his goalkeeper has come out to defend the coach.
Wojciech Szczesny spoke in an
interview this week and said that Flick’s system is not to blame for the recent struggles, and the Pole believes it’s up to the midfielders and forward players to do their part in controlling the game by keeping possession and pressing more effectively to take pressure off the defenders.
“Last season, there are things we didn’t do perfectly and that we need to improve. If we have a very high defensive line and don’t have control of the game and the ball, it’s a huge risk, because you lose the ball and are exposed. I don’t think we need to change our tactics. One of the aspects we need to improve is ball control, otherwise, our defenders will be in trouble. It’s not easy, no, to sprint 50 meters back every time because, at some point, you lose energy and, at an important moment, you don’t make it. Therefore, what we need to do is try to build on what we did last season and improve it.
“I think we proved last season what our system can offer us. Yes, it is risky, but when we play at our highest level, there aren’t many teams that can compete with us, but we have to be at our highest level. That’s why, although losing the game against Sevilla is painful, it’s a good lesson because you have to understand that it can become embarrassing if you don’t do things right. So I don’t think that’s the problem. I would never criticize the system. I would criticize the way we played in that system in a given game. And those two games this season where we didn’t do well enough. One was the Rayo Vallecano game and the other was in Sevilla, and it’s a clear message that we have to do better. The system isn’t the problem. Usually, it’s how you act within the system.”
Do you agree with Szczesny, Barça fans? Is Flick’s system to blame or is it up to the players to execute the system better?
