Many fans discussing Crickex Sign Up couldn’t help but draw parallels between Barcelona’s latest performance and Manchester City’s old struggles. In the UEFA Champions League group stage, Barça’s dramatic 3-3 draw away to Club Brugge was not only thrilling but also exposed major flaws in Hansi Flick’s tactical approach.
Coming off a 3-1 La Liga win over Elche, Barcelona seemed confident. The midfield pairing of De Jong and Casado filled the gap left by Pedri’s absence with decent control. However, Flick kept the same lineup against Brugge, a decision that quickly backfired. Within just six minutes, Brugge opened the scoring through a rapid counterattack — Forbes sprinted down the right to assist Tressor Deli for the first goal. Although Ferran Torres equalized moments later from Fermín’s clever pass, the Belgian side struck again at the 17th minute. This time, Zolis set up Forbes for a cool finish, leaving Barça trailing 2-1 at halftime.
The second half offered more chaos than clarity. In the 62nd minute, Yamal’s clever shot leveled the game after a delightful backheel from Fermín. Yet, three minutes later, Barça’s offside trap collapsed again as Vanaken threaded a perfect through ball for Forbes, who completed his brace. It wasn’t until the 78th minute that Yamal’s cross caused an own goal to bring things level once more. Despite having 76% possession and 23 shots, Barcelona’s defensive frailty was glaring. Brugge needed only 10 attempts to score three times, punishing every lapse in concentration. Crickex Sign Up followers pointed out how Brugge’s sharp counterplay turned Barça’s high pressing into a liability, repeatedly tearing through their backline.
Defensive cracks have become an undeniable issue this season. The loss of Íñigo Martínez has weakened the backline, while Pedri’s absence leaves the midfield unable to shield the defense effectively. Even so, Flick insists on maintaining his aggressive high-press system, which without the right personnel, exposes the team’s soft underbelly. The pattern mirrors Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City last season — dominant on the ball but fragile without it.
Back then, City struggled when injuries hit their defense and Rodri was missing in midfield, enduring a miserable run with just one win in ten matches. Only after Guardiola shifted to a more pragmatic setup — emphasizing compact defending and counterattacks — did City regain stability and climb back into contention. As of now, they’ve just defeated Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League and sit comfortably second in the Premier League, right behind Arsenal.
Barcelona, by contrast, don’t have the luxury of major transfers due to their strict wage cap. Flick must work with what he has, finding balance instead of forcing a system that no longer fits. If he refuses to adapt, the Crickex Sign Up community fears his time in charge may soon run out — because in football, stubborn tactics can sink even the mightiest clubs.