Three games into the new season, Barcelona’s defence has struggled to match last year’s solidity, with the absence of Iñigo Martínez, now at Al-Nassr, proving a key factor. Coach Hansi Flick has experimented with different combinations, but consistency at the back remains elusive.
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Flick’s Defensive Adjustments
In the recent 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, Flick opted for Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen in central defence, while Jules Kounde shifted to right-back.
The change delivered more stability and sharper build-up play compared to the opening matches, where Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí partnered in the middle.
This creates a real selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s clash with Valencia, reports SPORT. Flick must now decide whether to stick with Garcia-Christensen or revert to the more traditional Araújo-Cubarsí pairing.
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International Break Brings Encouraging Signs
Almost every Barcelona defender impressed during the international break:
- Christensen completed two full matches for Denmark, kept a clean sheet against Scotland, and even scored against Greece.
- Garcia used the break for rest and extra training under Flick.
- Araújo was outstanding for Uruguay against Chile.
- Cubarsí earned praise after his solid 45-minute display for Spain versus Bulgaria.
With Valencia visiting Estadi Johan Cruyff this weekend, followed by a demanding Champions League trip to Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Flick faces one of his toughest early-season challenges: finding Barcelona’s most reliable defensive unit.
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