Barcelona’s defensive issues came into focus in their high-profile losses to PSG and Real Madrid last week, and talks of a new center-back signing have already started as we approach the January transfer window.
Reports from Spanish media in the last 24 hours universally agree that Hansi Flick wants a new addition at the back this winter, and the coach pretty much confirmed that in a press conference on Friday.
Flick also explained the root of the defensive issues in El Clásico, and focused on the importance
of keeping the ball well and pressing from the front in addition to winning duels at the back.
“I said it during the transfer window, we always talk about what’s best for the team, how we can improve it. It’s something we’re working on. We’ll see. We have a few weeks left before the transfer window opens. We’ve discussed it with Deco, Bojan, and my staff. That’s how we do things. If we can, maybe we will.
“Ultimately, defending isn’t just the defenders’ job; even the striker defends. Everyone is involved. To begin with, we can’t lose the ball easily. We lost possession a few times against Real Madrid, which isn’t good. It’s something that happens to us often, and we need to play more intelligently, more focused.
“When we’re defending in our own area, it’s also important to mark our opponents well, and we didn’t do that either. We have to improve in these situations. We train it, we take it into account, and we talk about it with the players.”
I’ll believe it when I see it regarding the signing of a world-class center-back, something Barça have lacked since Iñigo Martínez left. But it’s at least good to see the clear intention from Flick and Deco to solve a pretty glaring issue when it comes to Barça’s ability to win the biggest games.
