By moving seven points clear with just three fixtures left, FC Barcelona may have all but secured this season’s La Liga trophy, yet head coach Hansi Flick insists their breathtaking 4‑3 victory over Real Madrid exposed a flaw he refuses to carry into the next campaign.
“The title race looks good, but our defending still isn’t where it needs to be,” Flick admitted in Sunday’s post‑match briefing at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona’s ultra‑aggressive back line thrilled the neutral again: Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior repeatedly sliced in behind, Madrid wasted gilt‑edged late chances, and only Robert Lewandowski’s stoppage‑time winner kept the champions‑elect on track. The same fragility was punished mid‑week when Inter Milan bundled the Catalans out of the Champions League 4‑3, sealing a wild 7‑6 aggregate.
Flick, who inherited a squad built to dominate possession, said the defensive leakiness is “systemic, not personnel‑based,” and that shoring it up is the off‑season’s top priority. “Our forwards have scored 16 against Madrid in four meetings—spectacular, yes—but the collective has to protect the back four much better,” he explained.
The German nonetheless applauded the entertainment: Barcelona have been Europe’s highest‑scoring side in major competitions this term and remain unbeaten against their arch‑rivals. “It’s fantastic for the fans, brutal for a coach’s nerves,” he laughed.
Barça can clinch the championship on Thursday away to Espanyol, or sooner if Madrid stumble at Mallorca on Wednesday. Flick, ever cautious, warned against complacency: “Every opponent wants to be the one that stops us. We still need three points—let’s get them quickly.”
With silverware in sight and a summer overhaul looming, Barcelona’s next challenge is clear: add steel to a sparkling sword.
