Hansi Flick criticised over Barcelona tactics against PSG

On Wednesday, Barcelona were defeated for the first time this season, with Paris Saint-Germain winning 2-1 in their much-anticipated Champions League clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic. And in the days after this match, much has been made of the winning goal – in particular, the Catalans’ tactics in the lead-up to it.

Achraf Hakimi and Goncalo Ramos breached Barcelona’s high-line to score PSG’s winning goal in stoppage time, and this has led to criticism of the decision to use much a tactic so late in a crucial match. And among those to hold this opinion is former Blaugrana star Thierry Henry, who criticised Hansi Flick’s tactical approach on CBS Sports (via Sempre Barca).

“You cannot play in the Champions League with such a high line, I’m sorry. When you play against great teams, you are going to expose yourself. Every simple run can end up in a goal. And that is exactly what happened against PSG. We always mention it, but they didn’t want to change it.

“Sometimes managers can be obstinate with their strategy, but in important matches, it can be costly.”

Is Flick too stubborn with his high-line approach?

Since he arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2024, much has been made of Flick’s decision to operate a very high defensive line. On the whole, this has helped the Catalans prevent many goals for their opponents by catching them offside, but it has also cost them on occasion, as it did against PSG.

However, many Barcelona fans will point to the fact that this approach has worked more than it hasn’t since Flick’s side adopted it, although it remains to be seen whether any changes are made for when the business end of the season comes around in March/April, providing that the Catalans are still involving in the Champions League.