Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick needs to change his tactics if he is to win the UEFA Champions League. He said they sometimes had to step back and raised questions about their defense.
The Blaugrana beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou in the Champions League on Tuesday, December 9. However, they are still 14th in the standings and could fall further once this week’s matches are over. They have three wins, one draw and two defeats in six league matches.
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After the Spanish giants beat Frankfurt, Arsenal legend Martin Keown said on TNT Sports:
“It seems pointless. Even Frankfurt managed two or three passes on goal tonight. It’s good to watch the neutral but I think the team with the best balance wins the Champions League this year and I don’t think it’s Barcelona.
“Everything is too high, it doesn’t seem to be the norm, but Hansi Flick plays that way. There are moments of relaxation, but this group doesn’t and it feels like they are playing. Look at the top six, there is so much talent in football, but defensively, sorry, you are going to have to bring someone in to win the Champions League,” he added.
Barcelona are two points behind eighth-placed Liverpool with two matches remaining in the Champions League league stage.
Robbie Savage agrees with Martin Keown on Barcelona’s UCL credentials
The Blaugrana have not won the UEFA Champions League since 2015. They reached the semi-finals last season but were eliminated by Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United midfielder Robbie Savage doesn’t think Barca can win the tournament this season. After their victory against Frankfurt, he said TNT Sports:
“They lost in the semi-final last season and it was great to watch. They play so high, so high. If you have pace you can really hurt this Barcelona team and that won’t change under the manager, that’s the most important thing.
“Can they win? Yes, they can because they have very, very good players. On this night they can beat anyone and they are top of La Liga. But I don’t think they will. If they played Arsenal, Arsenal would hurt them,” he added.
Arsenal sit at the top of the Champions League standings, tied on points with Bayern Munich but with a game in hand. Barcelona, meanwhile, will host Slavia Praha away and FC Copenhagen at home for their final two league matches.
Edited by Aditya Singh
