Goal.com reports that Barcelona are going through one of the most worrying periods in the club's European history. The problem lies not only in their results but also in the recurring psychological and technical obstacles they face in the Champions League, which are threatening their hopes of winning the trophy.
Barcelona will host an ambitious Aston Villa side, aiming to erase the memory of their 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and prove they are one of this season's genuine title contenders.
But before facing the English side, head coach Flick must first address an urgent issue: Barcelona's most critical problem in recent matches, which is repeatedly conceding the first goal.
The statistics are staggering: in Barcelona's last 12 Champions League matches, the team conceded first nine times, each time forcing them to chase the game.
If their slow starts weren't bad enough, their defensive record is even worse. Barcelona have conceded in 18 consecutive Champions League matches, a run that dates back to their 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals two seasons ago. That was also the last time the team kept a clean sheet in European competition.
Keeping a clean sheet against Aston Villa will be an almost impossible task, as the English side have already scored 12 goals in their first three games in this competition, showing immense attacking power.
Wezilmpruy
1
The problem with Flick is that he uses the same system of play and therefore it becomes very easy for the opponents to study his game plan. Mr. Coach please try to be dynamic in your approach to some of these games. You have become an easy target because of the same system of play of high line defending, tiki taka passing etc.