Barcelona coaching staff detect worrying defensive pattern after PSG and Sevilla losses | OneFootball

FC Barcelona entered the October international break in low spirits after suffering back-to-back defeats, first against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then against Sevilla in La Liga.

The pause in competition has provided Hansi Flick and his coaching staff with valuable time to thoroughly analyze the reasons behind these setbacks.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the German coach and his team have identified a recurring problem that goes beyond fatigue or the quality of the opposition. The main issue lies in moments of defensive miscoordination and confusion during key phases of play.

This pattern was especially evident in the two goals conceded against PSG. With the score at 1–0, a sequence that began from goalkeeper Chevalier’s area exposed Barcelona’s disorganization. The team was slow to push forward after a long-range attempt from Dani Olmo, allowing PSG to build comfortably from the back.

With Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes stretching the pitch wide, the French side tempted Barcelona into pressing higher, but Flick’s men lost their shape in the process. Lamine Yamal hesitated between stepping up to close down Pacho inside the box or moving directly toward Nuno Mendes. That moment of indecision allowed the Portuguese full-back to receive freely and progress upfield.

From there, the defensive structure quickly unraveled. Jules Kounde surged forward to challenge Mendes but was bypassed by a slick one-two combination with Mbaye, an action seemingly orchestrated by Luis Enrique’s touchline instructions.

Eric Garcia, tasked with covering Kounde’s position, was dragged out of place, and the defensive line opened up completely. Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong failed to recognize the danger in time, and Mendes burst through the inside channel. With Cubarsi also hesitating in anticipation, Mayulu capitalized on the chaos to level the score.

Inside the club, that phase of play has been analyzed as a collective breakdown, but Kounde’s overzealous pressing is viewed as the trigger that disrupted the entire defensive balance.

The second goal followed a nearly identical pattern. Pau Cubarsi stepped out to press Lee Kang-in far from his zone but failed to halt play with a tactical foul. His movement forced Alejandro Balde to drift centrally to cover the space behind him, leaving the right flank completely exposed.

Hakimi sprinted into the vacated channel and delivered a precise cross for Goncalo Ramos to score. Casado, Bernal, and De Jong were also late to readjust, and Barcelona were once again punished for a momentary lapse in defensive coordination.

Hansi Flick and his staff are now determined to eliminate such defensive lapses as Barcelona prepare to return to action after the international break. The goal is to restore the team’s defensive solidity and consistency that defined their best performances last season.