There is no denying the fact that FC Barcelona has been struggling in terms of their offside trap in recent weeks. While it was a highly effective tactic last season, it has not nearly been as useful or impactful in this ongoing campaign.
Even in the recent El Clasico against Real Madrid, it was clear that Los Blancos did not have too much trouble exploiting that offside trap and high defensive line that Hansi Flick’s team likes to play. Yet, there is a curiosity of sorts as to why this is the case.
To calm that curiosity, football analyst Fermin Suarez recently highlighted the issues with the Barcelona offside trap and explained why it looks easier to exploit now, as quoted by SPORT:
“The fact that Madrid were caught offside only five times, compared to twelve in last season’s Bernabéu fixture, reveals a lot.”
This example was crucial for his analysis of the team’s lacklustre pressure in terms of attacking threat, which he believes is a major reason as to why opponents are finding it easier to find the space that Barça leaves in behind the defensive line:
“In the second half, Barça completed 300 passes compared to Madrid’s 80, but only managed two shots on target. The problem is that without posing a threat, the opponent feels no stress or pressure, and that affects your defensive shape when you don’t have the ball. Having the ball and threatening with it gives you structure, spacing, positioning, and confidence — it allows you to press better and keep the line compact.”
However, Suarez made sure to acknowledge that the team’s current injuries definitely do not make things easier in terms of the intensity that is required for such a tactic to work properly:
“You can’t separate the current issues from the injuries. With players like Raphinha, Gavi, or Dani Olmo, things would look much different. Other players aren’t at 100%, and that shows in the pressing.”
BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's sixth goal with teammates Raphinha and Fermin Lopez during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Estadi Johan Cruyff on September 14, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
He then proceeded to speak about Barça’s weaker pressing this season, one that seems to lack both unity and intensity. Moreover, he also pointed out that this was not just a critique of the forwards, but also the fullbacks that seem to be struggling:
“That’s the second issue: Barça aren’t pressing as well. We often talk about the wingers, but the full-backs are just as important — they have to cover large distances to close down their counterparts. We saw that Koundé isn’t fully fit, and Balde isn’t reading the game perfectly either. The pressing triggers aren’t as aggressive or quick this season, largely because of the injury situation.”
A thorough analysis, and it is one that many fans and people within the club would agree with as well. If it is clear enough for outsiders to recognise the issue with the team’s offside trap right now, Hansi Flick and the Barcelona coaching staff must have noticed it as well and will likely be working on improving it already.