Barcelona’s Lewandowski: Flick has adjusted tactics and the team is not pressing so high anymore — here’s what changed, and why it matters.
Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona’s star striker, says Hansi Flick has recently tweaked the team’s approach, with Barcelona no longer playing as high up the pitch as before. For years Flick’s teams have been known for a very ambitious high line, a strategy that has drawn plenty of criticism at times. Lewandowski explains that the approach has become more flexible, especially on defense, and the team doesn’t always take big risks in every match as it did in the first season under Flick. In some games they still look to press the opponent’s defense offside, while in others the tactical setup appears more conservative or slightly different depending on the foe.
When asked about his catalyzing future, Lewandowski also addressed whether winning the Champions League would serve as a perfect capstone to his Barcelona tenure. He replied that now is not the moment to make any decision, noting that predicting outcomes in such a long tournament would be premature. If Barcelona advances to the semi-finals, they can then assess what would be needed to push into a final. He added that lifting another Champions League trophy with Barcelona would undoubtedly be a remarkable achievement for the club and for his career.
As for schedule, Barcelona will learn their next knockout-stage opponents on Friday when the fixtures are confirmed.
Discussion points: Does a shift away from a relentlessly aggressive high press reflect a broader strategic trend in modern football, or is it a response to evolving opponents and the squad’s balance? Could this change impact Barcelona’s identity in Europe, or is it a pragmatic evolution that makes the team more adaptable? Share your thoughts below: do you agree with Flick’s adjustments, or do you prefer the old high-line approach?
