Barcelona legend warns Hansi Flick over team’s defensive woes – ‘Cannot continue like this’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona legend Rivaldo has expressed his concern about the defensive problems of his former club, which has conceded eight goals in its last four matches, showing clear signs of weakness.

The Blaugrana’s most recent fixture ended in a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League fixture, with questions being asked about the team’s defensive structure.

Premier League legend Alan Shearer hit out at Hansi Flick over the high defensive line and offside trap tactics.

Now, Rivaldo, too, has expressed some doubts about the system, insisting that the German tactician can no longer continue in the same manner.

“He’s going to have to make some changes. He cannot continue like this,” said Rivaldo, as quoted by SPORT.

At the same time the former Ballon d’Or winner also stated that the players are also at blame for the Catalans’ defensive failings, stating:

“It is clear that some situations may be the coach’s responsibility, but others are trained plays that the players do not execute well in the match.”

Rivaldo has urged Flick to consider changing his approach. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

“Sometimes there is a lack of communication between the defenders or attention to not leaving the forwards in a position to finish. It is not always the coach’s fault; often the players do not assimilate what they have worked on.”

Rivaldo also shared his view on Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal’s performance against Chelsea, where he was outplayed by his marker and Spain teammate, Marc Cucurella.

“Lamine wasn’t at his best because he was marked very closely. In situations like that, I think he needs to have more options on the pitch, more variety in his game,” stated Rivaldo.

“He can’t just play on the right wing, repeating the same move over and over again. With all the talent he has, that’s not enough for him.”

The former Brazil international remarked that it was up to the coach to find alternatives so that the young winger can perform better when he cannot find solutions.

“When he faces a defender who knows him well, as was the case at Chelsea, it’s easier to neutralise him. He was stuck on the right wing, unable to move,” insisted Rivaldo.

“The coach has to create alternatives for him: put him in the centre, on the left, alternate roles… That way, he could have performed better. He played badly because he was limited to one side of the pitch, well-marked and predictable,” he noted.