Martin Keown raises doubts over Barcelona’s UCL winning bid, says ‘it feels like they’re gambling’
Arsenal icon Martin Keown believes Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick needs to change his style of play if they want to win the UEFA Champions League. He said that they need to drop back at times and raised serious questions about their defense.
Martin Keown raises questions on Hansi Flick’s high-line tactics
Barcelona defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou in the Champions League on Tuesday, December 9. However, they are still 14th in the table and could drop further after this week’s fixtures are complete. They have three wins, one draw, and two defeats in six league games.
After the Catalan side defeated Frankfurt, Arsenal icon Martin Keown said on TNT Sports:
“It feels unnecessary. Even Frankfurt had two or three runs through on goal tonight. It’s great to watch for the neutral but I think the team with the best balance wins the Champions League this year and I don’t think that’s Barcelona.
“Everything is too high, it doesn’t seem the norm but Hansi Flick plays this way. There’s times to drop off but this lot don’t do that and it feels like they’re gambling. Look at the front six, there’s so much football talent, but defensively, sorry, you’re going to have to bring someone in there to win the Champions League,” he added.
Barcelona are two points behind eight-placed Liverpool, with two games left in the Champions League league phase.
Robbie Savage agrees with Martin Keown
Barcelona failed to win the UEFA Champions League since 2015. They managed to reach the semi-finals last season but were eliminated by Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, the former Manchester United player Robbie Savage discards Barca’s bid to win the tournament this season. After their win over Frankfurt, he said on TNT sports:
“They lost to the semis last season and it was brilliant to watch. They just play so high, so high. If you’ve got pace you can really hurt this Barcelona side and that won’t change under the manager, that’s the big thing.
“Can they win it? Yes, they can because they’ve got very, very good players. On their night they can beat anyone and they’re top of La Liga. But I don’t think they will. If they play Arsenal, Arsenal would hurt them,” he added.
Arsenal sit atop the Champions League table, level on points with Bayern Munich but with a game in hand. Barcelona, meanwhile, have Slavia Praha away and FC Copenhagen at home as their remaining two league-stage fixtures.
