Barca must defend better to reach PSG level, Flick says

Football
By AFP | Oct 02, 2025
Hansi Flick holds a press conference for the match against Betis, corresponding to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, in Barcelona, Spain, on January 14, 2025. [AFP]

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick insisted his team must learn how to defend better after conceding a last-gasp winner against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

The French side struck in the 90th minute through Goncalo Ramos to claim a 2-1 victory at the Olympic stadium in the league stage clash.

Barcelona's high defensive line was unpicked with Achraf Hakimi racing in and crossing for Ramos to finish, and Flick admitted PSG were operating on a higher level.

The Catalans were knocked out in the semi-finals of last season's Champions League by Inter Milan as their defensive deficiencies were exposed, conceding seven goals across the two legs.

"With (the score at) 1-1 you have to defend better, have a better structure in the defence," Flick told reporters.

"We will learn this and we have to make it better next time against this quality of team."

The German coach said PSG deserved to win the game and that his team were below their best and could not match the European champions on the night.

"There is no point in saying we are on the same level (but) I believe in my team -- today wasn't our best day," continued Flick.

"We train to get better and better and this game today (will) help us a lot, also for the future. The whole team has to defend, the whole team has to attack...

"The philosophy that they (PSG) have, is fantastic. They have young players, they had high quality and speed on the ball, very, very good."

Flick said when his team were playing at their best they could match Luis Enrique's side.

"We could see today how the level of PSG is, I'm 100 percent sure we can play like this," added the coach.

Share this story
Kibugu leads Kenyan charges in Rwanda Open
A 15-player Kenyan contingent, led by Njoroge Kibugu, heads to Rwanda for the inaugural Rwanda Open, with established professionals and promising amateurs targeting success.
Ivory Coast host Ghana in 2027 Afcon qualifying blockbuster
Ivory Coast and Ghana launch their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaigns with a high-profile clash in Bouaké featuring coaches Hervé Renard and Carlos Queiroz.
Sports CS Mvurya: Youth, creatives and athletes face financial challenges
Young people in Kenya’s creative and sports industries are confronting a range of challenges, from financial insecurity and intense public scrutiny to limited career opportunities.
Unpaid allowances, work permit issues: McCarthy lifts lid on Harambee Stars woes ahead of AFCON qualifier
Fresh turmoil surrounds Harambee Stars' preparations for Saturday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Eritrea after head coach Benni McCarthy revealed a series of problems surrounding the team
FKF crisis: Inside the troubled Kandanda House
“What’s so difficult?” FKF president Hussein Mohammed repeated the question on Monday as he sought to explain why efforts to resolve the federation’s deepening leadership crisis failed.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS