Former Real Madrid legend hits out at Barcelona and urges Hansi Flick to change his approach
Barcelona need to change their gameplan if they want to win the Champions League
Toni Kroos has lashed out at Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and believes the German’s commitment to playing a certain way leaves them exposed late in matches.
Barcelona have lost their last two games in the closing stages, going down 4-1 at Sevilla on Sunday after the home side scored in the 90th and 96th minutes. Four days earlier, a 90th-minute goal from Gonzalo Ramos handed PSG a 2-1 Champions League win in Catalonia.
Flick’s team employ a high energy, high press style, befitting the traditions of the club, but Kroos says that appears unsustainable for the entire game and they must learn to be more pragmatic when necessary.
The midfielder, who won five Champions League trophies with Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, told the Einfach mal Luppen podcast: “Flick’s obsession with always playing in the same way makes Barcelona vulnerable from the 75th minute onwards since they can’t finish the match at the same pace. I don’t see them winning the Champions League.
“Barça have one of the most attractive styles, if not the most attractive in all of Europe, but I think they take many risks. If Pedri, Lamine [Yamal] or Raphinha have a bad day, any team can hurt them and win.
“They can be eliminated from the Champions League. Last year it already happened to them with Inter and this year either in the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals or in the final, at some point they will run into a rival that will eliminate them. This will happen to them in the Champions League, not in La Liga because they are very dominant.”
Adapt or die – Kroos tells Barcelona
Kroos says Flick needs to make changes late in games to make Barca harder to play through, adding: “From the 75th minute you notice that everyone is more tired and you see that they do not change to another style that will close the spaces. If you are tired and do not change the style of play, it becomes very evident how exposed you are.”
Barca went into the international break in second place in La Liga, two points behind leaders Madrid. They are in action again on October 18 when they host Girona.