Barcelona’s dressing room analysis: Attackers’ effort under scrutiny after latest defeats | OneFootball

Heading into the October international break, Hansi Flick is facing growing frustration with Barcelona’s performances, reports El Pais. His concerns stem from both tactical issues and player attitudes.

This comes after Barcelona suffered back-to-back losses against PSG and Sevilla, leading up to the international break.

Attackers at blame

As per the report, Flick’s reaction after the Sevilla loss was not as strong as his outburst at the players after the 1-1 draw vs Rayo Vallecano in late August.

After the loss, the manager said the problem was missed chances and poor finishing, but urged the team to stay positive.

However, the defence has come under scrutiny for the defeat, particularly Ronald Araujo, who was substituted at halftime, not for his foul leading to Sevilla’s first goal but because he has struggled to adapt to Flick’s system.

But some players strongly believe that the defensive problems start with poor pressing up front. Flick’s system relies on high pressure, and the feeling is that the current forwards lack intensity.

“Ronald was down yesterday. He feels responsible for something that is not his fault. The problem is how we are organised,” a defender from the squad shared privately with the outlet.

“If we do not press well, we cannot play with the defensive line so high,” complained the same defender.

Marcus Rashford does not offer the same intensity in pressing as Raphinha, and Dani Olmo does not bring the same effort as Gavi or Fermin Lopez.

Olmo’s lack of pressing and poor form a concern. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

In fact, the report states that even Flick himself was annoyed and frustrated with Olmo’s lack of effort to press in the 1-1 draw vs Rayo Vallecano before the previous international break.

According to the same sources, the problems worsen when Robert Lewandowski plays – who is still lethal in the box, but ineffective in collective play.

Inigo’s departure an issue?

The departure of Inigo Martinez has hurt Barça without question. Flick has not found a stable centre-back pairing since he left for Al-Nassr.

So far, in eight league matches, he has tried four different centre-back pairings: Araujo–Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia–Cubarsi, Araujo–Andreas Christensen, and Garcoa–Christensen. None have matched the effectiveness of last season’s duo, Cubarsi and Inigo.

“Inigo made Pau better. He was also more comfortable because he did not have to play as a left centre-back,” said one Barcelona midfielder, insinuating that Cubarsi being deployed as a left-sided centre-back this season is a problem.

Those close to Cubarsi, however, disagree: “Pau’s best match – when he won the MVP against Napoli in the Champions League – was playing on the left. The problem with the defence is not Pau or Inigo’s absence.”

Instead, the feeling appears to be that Barcelona’s defence is being undermined by its attack and the lack of pressing from the front – something that Cubarsi pointed out during his post-match interview.