Pau Cubarsí, in a recent interview, spoke about the risks of Barcelona's advanced defensive line.
He insisted that the season went well and that everyone is united behind Flick's idea. He admitted the system is risky as it encourages the forwards to be active and press intensely, but it only works when the team is well-connected.
He also noted that in important matches, they are very measured because they stick to the coach’s plan. However, all analyses of the defensive system focus on their own players and barely mention the opponents.
Over the past year, rivals have changed the way they attack Barça because they studied how to damage them. Half of the 46 goals conceded come from balls played behind the defense, with a forward sprinting in to take control and face goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
What's changed from one season to the next is that previously the player making the pass looked for a teammate to receive it, but now it's enough to put the ball behind defenders — someone arrives from the second line at speed to gain control and attack.
If the rival is a weaker team like Oviedo, Mallorca or Elche, Barça concedes few goals; but against players like Lookman, Guedes, Esevao or Mbappé, it becomes very tough.
