Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted his team’s defensive weaknesses after a stoppage-time goal doomed them to a 2-1 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday night.
At the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, Goncalo Ramos scored in the 90th minute to give the reigning European champions the victory.
Achraf Hakimi sped past Barcelona’s high defensive line before setting up the Portuguese striker for a powerful finish, exposing a common weakness in the Catalans’ back line.
It was the latest example of Barcelona’s defensive shortcomings. Last season, they were eliminated from the semi-finals by Inter Milan after allowing seven goals over two legs.
Flick admitted that his players failed to learn from the defeats.
“With the score at 1-1 you have to defend better and have a better structure in defense,” the German coach told reporters. “We will learn this, and we have to make it better next time against this quality of team.”
Ferran Torres gave Barcelona the lead in the 19th minute, converting Marcus Rashford’s cross to extend the club’s scoring streak to 45 matches.
However, PSG answered through 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, who leveled before halftime with a composed finish.
Despite missing key players like Marquinhos, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as Joao Neves’ withdrawal in the warm-up, PSG looked sharper in control. Flick said that Luis Enrique’s team deserved the victory.
“There is no point in saying we are on the same level,” Flick said. “Today wasn’t our best day. The philosophy they have is fantastic—young players, quality, speed on the ball, very, very good. But I believe in my team. When we play at our best, we can match PSG.”
Enrique, who returned to Barcelona for the first time as PSG manager, had a night to remember.
After winning in 2021 and 2024, the French champions became the first club to win three consecutive European competitions away at Barcelona.
