Inigo Martinez explains offside line issues – ‘If you don’t, it’s suicide’

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has noted that it is not always the defenders' fault when their high offside line is beaten by opponents. Martinez has been praised for his backline commitment as a veteran of the Blaugrana backline, but that has been undone of late.

The 33-year-old was asked on Tuesday night before Barcelona's Champions League clash with Brest in the Champions League whether he ever asks Flick to drop the line, or if they talk about it. Martinez was clear that it was all a function of what's happening in front of them.

“The coach is very clear about the height of the defensive line. That height does not always have to be in the middle of the field. It is when the opponent is pressed well forward. If not, it's suicide. We have put a little too much effort into it in recent matches. We have to do it when the opponent is under good pressure.”

After Martinez appeared at the press, Flick agreed that the entire team should be on the same page, something the Basque also expressed.

“I think this applies to the whole team, not just the defensive line. The pressure starts with those at the front, and if it's not right, we suffer at the back. We all attack and defend. Apart from these last two games the team's work has been brilliant. This is the line we must follow.”

Barcelona have struggled at times this season without their starting XI on the pitch, and that was the case on Saturday with Gerard Martin at left-back. Pau Cubarsi and Martinez have played almost all of Barcelona's games, with rare exceptions of Barca Atletic's Eric Garcia and Sergi Dominguez. Alejandro Balde is out on Tuesday, so it will probably be one of Martin or Hector Fort at left-back against Brest.