Former Barcelona defender Abelardo thinks that the Catalans still need to add a top defender to the squad if they are to win the Champions League.
Hansi Flick’s side have opened up their European campaign in 2026-27 with big wins over Feyenoord and Galatasaray but have conceded in both games.
Barca have actually failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 Champions League games, and Abelardo says that more quality is needed at the back.
“I think that to aspire to win the Champions League, Barcelona
needs a top-level center-back. I do believe so… I hope I’m wrong,” he told Onda Cero.
“In the end, you’re going to have to win defensive duels with Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane… I think that Barça, at the back, still lacks, in my opinion, top-level players to be able to aspire to win the Champions League, which they can win, but I think they still lack something.”
Barcelona were linked with Alessandro Bastoni during the summer but ultimately failed to land a central defender and signed Rodri along with attackers Gabriel Jesus, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi instead.
Do Barca still need a top defender to triumph in Europe? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
