‘Barcelona can be a clear contender’ – Hansi Flick told what his side need to win Champions League

“I think this year Barcelona genuinely had a great chance of winning it. What do they still lack for me? A more solid defence. At a collective level, when they face matches, they don’t mind carrying the weight of the game,” he told BetBrothers.

“They control the play, they have attacking resolution and a good average of goals scored per match, but they concede quite a few on the counter-attack, and in Europe that is crucial.

“They have a style that is risky at times. Even against Newcastle, whom they beat, they conceded goals. In Europe, once you reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals or a possible final, you need more defensive solidity.” Yet Nadal thinks that Barcelona can go on and taste success in Europe if they do bolster the squad. “Spanish football is attractive, but the differences are noticeable when you play in Europe. If you want to reach the final or win the title, they need to become a bit more solid defensively,” he added.