Barca trembles every time they are counter-attacked

Guardiola once said: “When you don’t win, you have to believe in the system more than ever.” But Barca seem to have forgotten that now – they doubt, they fear, and they are disoriented.

Barca are lost. They attack a lot, have a lot of possession, but are not effective. Every time they are counter-attacked, the team is shaken like a collective that has lost faith. The 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League in the early morning of November 6 was not just a simple stumble, but also a sign that Barca is falling into a crisis of faith in its own system.

Pep Guardiola once said: “When the team wins, no one doubts the system. But when the team loses, that is when you need to believe in it more than ever.” That saying has now become relevant. Hansi Flick’s Barca still carries the spirit of Pep, controlling the ball, pressing high, attacking with the whole team. But the football that once symbolized domination is now being questioned because it no longer produces results.

The game in Bruges was a clear illustration. Barca had to equalise three times to avoid disaster. They controlled the game, pressed the pitch, launched dozens of attacks, but still played with anxiety. Every time they were counter-attacked, the defense was in disarray. Club Brugge needed only 23 attacks to take 11 shots, score 3 goals and miss 1 golden chance. Meanwhile, Barca needed 80 attacks to achieve the same number.

The problem is not just performance. It is psychological fragility. Barca now lacks character and self-belief. Every time they are behind, they no longer have the prestige of a team that once scared the whole of Europe.

Under Flick, Barca played with dedication, but could not control the risks. When the defense, which included young names like Pau Cubarsi or Gerard Martin, was pushed, the whole team immediately became confused.

Lamine Yamal is a rare bright spot for Barcelona.

Lamine Yamal is a rare bright spot. At 18, he carries the entire attack. Each of Yamal's dribbles brings a bit of vitality to a worn-out team.

But one young talent cannot carry the burden of a system that is cracking. Gavi, Pedri injured, Lewandowski getting a year older, Raphinha frustrated at being left out of the FIFPRO Team of the Year, all create a gloomy picture.

Barca are living between two worlds : a glorious past and an unstable present. They still talk about the “philosophy of control”, but it is this style of play that is suffocating them.

Flick is not wrong to try to maintain the identity, but he is not bold enough to improve it. Barca today is like an old machine trying to run on a new road, making a lot of noise but not going far.

The question is: should we believe in the system, or dare to break it? Guardiola once emphasized that “betraying the system” is the shortest path to destruction. But sometimes, blind faith is also another form of betrayal, betraying reality. Barca needs to find balance, a style of play that suits their true ability, instead of continuing to live on the glorious memories of the past.

The draw in Bruges was more than just two dropped points. It was a warning. Barca are losing their grip and confidence. If Flick doesn’t get his team back on track soon, this season could be a pale copy of the old failures, with lots of balls, few goals, and lots of regret.

It is time for Barca to look at Guardiola’s example. Not to imitate him, but to understand the true spirit of that football, not just to control, but to survive.

Source: https://znews.vn/barca-run-ray-moi-khi-bi-phan-cong-post1600247.html