Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has acknowledged that they should improve when defending set pieces after their first stage against Inter in the semi-final of the Champions League. In recent weeks it has turned out to be an important weakness for the Blaugrana.
Flick was criticized, both for the defense of Barcelona with a high line after the first stage at Montjuic, and for their vulnerability at set pieces, after Man of the Match Denzel Dumfries scored twice from the corners during the first stage. With regard to the style of the Blaugrana, Flick had no worries.
“We can improve both in the attack and the defense. Many people say that we also take too many risks in our playing style, this also in Germany. They say that we admit too many goals, but if we look at the other large teams and the way they admit goals, there is not too much difference between the two. I know exactly with real Madrid, it is the same.
“We score many goals, it's how we want to play, and I am happy with them. Of course our playing style includes risks, but I think it is great. Ultimately, you only concentrate on the back four in terms of the allocated goals and the attackers in terms of the goals that know about the team. How I want it, the whole team, well connected.”
After the first stage at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company, Flick said that set pieces are one of Inter's strengths, but also the difference in height between the two teams.
“I think we can defend much better. It's not just the height, it's how you make your blocks, the one-on-one, how you take responsibility in the defense … but of course Inter hurts us a lot from set piece [Hakan Calhanoglu]Maybe one of the best. '
In their last two games, Barcelona has admitted four times against Inter and Real Madrid from set pieces, making it a total of five times in the month of April. It is worth noting that one of them was a direct free kick from Kylian Mbappe, but it is certainly a care area for Flick.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was the center of attention after the first stage, with praise on the 17-year-old. After the game, Flick was asked if all praise could be harmful, and again a similar question was asked to him prior to Real Valladolid.
“I think he knows what I want from him. If you can play at this level, the goal is to maintain it. All players have potential for improvement, and he has too. He has talent and genius, but now he has to keep calm and keep going. We are happy with his level; he is 17, which is incredible, but we know that he must keep this level and even improve.