Barcelona are out of the Champions League after falling to Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinals. In the aftermath of the elimination, Hansi Flick’s growingly fragile defensive system has been targeted as the main culprit.
Flick installed a bold defensive high line upon arrival to Barcelona, where defenders are instructed to play near or even inside the opposition’s halfway line. Employed well, the system helps Barça catch opponents offside routinely and also meshes brilliantly with an aggressive high-press that allows the team to recover the ball in dangerous areas.
