Toni Kroos explains why Flick’s Barcelona may fall short in Europe again | OneFootball

Ever since his arrival at FC Barcelona, Hansi Flick has given little reason for complaint and has done an excellent job of guiding the Blaugrana back toward the summit of European football.

However, the last few weeks have not gone very well for the German tactician, with defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, and Flick is facing criticism from some commentators.

For instance, the former Barcelona star Thierry Henry recently highlighted the stubborn approach of the Blaugrana coach, after the defeat to PSG. Now, a compatriot of Flick and the former Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, has also highlighted some weaknesses in the Barcelona team.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the German icon was talking to the podcast Einfach Mal Luppen, when he claimed that the Catalans would find it difficult to win the UCL:

“Last year it already happened to them with Inter Milan (in the Champions League semifinals), and this year — whether in the round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, or the final — at some point they’ll run into a rival like that… This will happen to Barcelona in the Champions League.”

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Kroos also highlighted how Flick’s team can be hurt easily in the last stages of the game:

“Especially from the 75th minute onward, you notice that everyone is more tired and they don’t switch to another style to close down spaces… If you’re tired and don’t change your style of play, it becomes very clear how exposed you are.”

While the criticism on the high defensive line is increasing now, one needs to keep in mind that these strategies helped Barcelona remain one of the most competitive sides in Europe last season, and it remains to be seen whether Hansi Flick will be willing to give up on these core parts of his playing style amid this drop in results.