‘There has been an enormous change to Barcelona this season – and it is new for followers’
EXCLUSIVE Barcelona are currently third in La Liga, sitting behind Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and Albert Ferrer has opened up to Daily Star Sport out their changing philosophy
“I think there’s been a big change in terms of Barcelona this season, you know, the philosophy of Barcelona,” Albert Ferrer admitted when talking to Daily Star Sport .
The Blaugrana are currently staring up the table in Spain, with the Madrid duo of Real and Atleti occupying the top two spots.
Barcelona, Spain’s most famous club, are in trouble of being cut adrift. So what’s changed? Why have the Spanish giants, who looked to be getting back to their very best, come to a grinding halt.
“In all our history, we just played a very positional game, football with a lot of touches and switching positions – trying to be patient and to try and find the space and create chances,” Ferrer continued.
“It has been completely different with Hansi Flick. It has been more direct, in Spain we say vertical, more just looking for the goal, not spending too much time in midfield and scoring most of the goals on the counter or in transitions.
“This is something that is new for the Barcelona supporters, but this is how really we are playing this season.”
However, it might only be a matter of time before it starts to click for Flick in the Spanish city. Flick’s style of play earned him success at Bayern Munich – where he wrapped up two Bundesliga titles, one Champions League and a DFB-Pokal success.
And it was after winning the Champions League where Flick was named as the UEFA Coach of the Year.
Success doesn’t happen over night – and after Barca’s heartbreaking defeat to Atleti before Christmas, Flick admitted they needed a break. Ferrer had told Daily Star Sport that the fixture was a must-win clash.
“But normally Barcelona kind of reacts pretty good in these circumstances,” Ferrer continued. “They have to win the game. Otherwise, I won’t say it will be difficult to win La Liga, because there are still a lot of games to play. But they certainly need to get a win.”
ITV4 and Premier Sports are showing LALIGA action throughout the season.
