Racing Santander star outlines how they can beat Barcelona: ‘Need to play a practically perfect match’ | OneFootball

Barcelona have been in perfect form since the start of the season, with the Catalan club winning six consecutive games across all competitions.

The Catalan club have not just secured victories, but they have done so by steamrolling anyone who faces them.

This form is beginning to create its own psychological advantage. Ahead of Racing Santander’s visit to the Camp Nou, goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala has admitted that simply producing a good performance might not be enough.

Barcelona are a chance-creating machine

Speaking to MARCA’s La Tribu, Agirrezabala described Barça as “a machine for creating chances” and warned that Racing will need to approach the match with almost no margin for error.

“We know it is going to be very difficult, but we are going with everything to try to get a good result,” Agirrezabala said.

The goalkeeper believes Barça’s biggest danger is not limited to individual stars such as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha or Fermin Lopez.

“We already know that Barca are a machine for creating chances,” he explained, describing Flick’s approach as risky but executed extremely well.

Agirrezabala and Racing know facing Barcelona will be a daunting task. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Agirrezabala also highlighted Barcelona’s ability to suddenly punish opponents: “With very little, with flashes, they create chances against you.”

There are very few teams in Europe that are more potent from an attacking perspective than Barcelona are under Flick.

Even when they are not at their best, as against Levante, Barça still find ways to put four or five goals past their opposition.

Los Verdiblancos need ‘practically perfect’ display

Agirrezabala explained exactly what his side need to do to have a chance against Flick’s side at the Camp Nou.

“For you to beat this Barca, and even more so at the Camp Nou, you need to play a practically perfect match,” Agirrezabala said.

Racing’s plan will include trying to exploit Barcelona’s high defensive line, although the goalkeeper believes Joan Garcia makes that considerably more difficult.

He called the Barça goalkeeper “an animal between the posts,” while highlighting his awareness when dealing with situations behind the defence.

Barcelona have been simply unstoppable this season. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Agirrezabala was equally complimentary about Lamine.

“With the age he is and everything he has already shown, it is clear that he is one of the best players in the world,” he said.

Asked to choose between facing Lamine and Kylian Mbappe, Agirrezabala refused, calling them “the players that no goalkeeper wants to have in front of them” and describing the pair as football’s two most decisive players right now.

Racing have a daunting task on hand

Agirrezabala is of the opinion that Racing need to be perfect to beat Barcelona, but even that might not be enough.

For the newly promoted La Liga side to have a chance, they need to be at their best while also hoping that Flick’s men have an off day.

With a quick turnaround from the Levante game, the German manager may choose to make some rotations tonight.

Racing will hope to take advantage of such a situation and be the first team to take points off Barcelona this season, and it remains to be seen how things pan out.