Barcelona head into Sunday’s El Clasico with a six-point advantage over Real Madrid, looking to make it nine with a victory.
However, Hansi Flick has a defensive problem to address. Recent matches have exposed the team’s vulnerability in defending set pieces.
According to SPORT, Barcelona’s 4-2 defeat against PSG highlighted a recurring weakness that could become especially costly against Madrid.
Barcelona’s squad has an average height of 1.82 metres, with players such as Rodri among the tallest.
However, several technically gifted players, including Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Xavi Espart, face disadvantages in aerial contests.
Those limitations have become increasingly apparent in recent matches. Against Real Betis, Valentin Gomez equalised after beating Espart in the air inside Barcelona’s six-yard box.
Xavi Espart, Barcelona player
Barcelona have some players who aren’t gifted in aerial situations. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)
The opportunity developed from a corner that Flick’s team failed to clear properly. A similar problem repeated itself against PSG.
Lucas Hernandez escaped Gordon’s attention and scored with a header. Barça also received a warning against Galatasaray when Victor Osimhen beat Pau Cubarsi to the ball from a corner.
The resulting goal was disallowed for offside, but the defensive vulnerability remained evident across three consecutive games.
The concern ahead of El Clasico is that Madrid possess several players capable of exploiting Barcelona’s problems in the air.
Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and Espi all stand over 1.90 metres, giving Madrid considerable physical presence during corners and free kicks.
Rudiger and Huijsen in particular have repeatedly looked threatening from corners, and Barça will have to pay special attention to them.
Antonio Rudiger is a menace to deal with from corner situations. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s squad is built around technical quality, intelligent movement and possession, qualities that have helped establish their league advantage.
However, Hansi Flick will definitely have to improve the defensive organisation, as it simply is not acceptable to concede from a corner in every game.
Barcelona cannot afford to surrender cheap opportunities against a Madrid side with enough attacking quality to punish even minor mistakes.
It remains to be seen how the Catalans fix this weakness of theirs and whether they can defend corners better against Los Blancos.