Flick’s philosophy of pressing high and defending boldly has always carried an element of danger. Last season, it brought results and excitement, but by the campaign’s end, opponents had begun to exploit its weaknesses. Despite promising tactical tweaks this year, Flick has stayed faithful to his bold approach — a choice that backfired in Bruges, where Barça’s structure repeatedly collapsed once the first line of pressure was broken.
Ruud Gullit leads criticism
Among the many critics, former Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit was the most outspoken. Speaking on BeIN Sports, Gullit didn’t mince words: “Why persist with a plan doomed to failure?”
He went further, branding Barcelona’s approach “kamikaze football”, arguing that maintaining such a fragile defensive setup is counterproductive for a team with Barça’s ambitions. His comments have reignited the discussion around whether Flick’s project needs urgent tactical evolution.
This is Thierry Henry, who on 'CBS Sports' said: "How much longer are we going to keep repeating the same thing?" He added: "I understand that you press, but you also need to defend without the ball and protect your goal. It's not just about pressing and winning the ball back, especially when opponents attack your defense on the right and left." The debate is served.
🎙️Thierry Henry from the @CBSSportsGolazo show on Barça’s high line woes.
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) November 6, 2025
🗣️: “So, if you’re a team now, if you didn’t do your due diligence that Barça play a high line & you don’t make the late run, you remember when Dortmund did it to them last year?
You can go on goal every… pic.twitter.com/jdzfshSrut
Defensive Fragility continue to hunt Barca
Barcelona’s defensive woes remain glaring. The Catalans have conceded 20 goals in just 15 matches, including seven in four European games — an alarming figure for a team chasing continental glory. Against Brugge, every misplaced pass turned into a counterattack opportunity, exposing a backline constantly stretched by Flick’s aggressive setup.
Flick Stands Firm: "We won't change our DNA"
Despite mounting criticism, Hansi Flick refuses to compromise. After the match in Belgium, the coach doubled down on his philosophy:
“We are Barça and we want to play our football. We can talk about changing everything, but I’m not that kind of coach. We will play with our DNA. We will not defend in our half and play on the counterattack to win 1–0.”
Flick concluded by saying the team simply needs to “do things better”, reaffirming his belief that improvement — not change — is the solution.
With Barça’s attacking brilliance offset by defensive instability, Flick’s tenure is at a critical juncture. Supporters and analysts are divided — some praise his commitment to the club’s philosophy, while others fear his stubbornness could *undermine Barcelona’s European ambitions.
One thing is certain: after Bruges, the debate over Barça’s identity under Hansi Flick has never been louder.
