Two defeats in the space of a week have brought the first serious questions of FC Barcelona’s 2026-27 season. Paris Saint-Germain exposed weaknesses in Europe before Real Madrid followed with a Clasico defeat, abruptly ending an 11-match winning run. At a club where setbacks are rarely allowed to pass quietly, the focus has inevitably shifted towards Hansi Flick and whether his approach needs adjusting and his answer has been emphatic.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Alaves via [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20261030/1004245070/flick-mantiene-confianza-barca-senala-claves-reaccionar-dos-derrotas.html), Flick insisted he remains totally convinced by Barcelona’s football and has no intention of abandoning the principles that produced such an impressive start to the campaign. The German does, however, want the execution to change.
Flick identified Barcelona’s use of the ball as one of the biggest areas requiring improvement. Against Real Madrid, possession was surrendered too cheaply on several occasions, forcing Barca into recovery runs and exposing a defence already weakened by injuries.
The solution, in his view, is not to become more conservative but rather that Barcelona must become cleaner. Flick called for greater control, fewer mistakes and better decisions over when to move the ball and when to move the opposition. He also acknowledged that his players had lacked freshness, particularly during the Clasico, and stressed the need for greater concentration when defending.
It would appear that Flick is not preparing to lower the defensive line or dismantle the aggressive structure that has defined his Barça. He wants the same football played with fewer self-inflicted problems.
Flick is right not to panic after two defeats. Eleven consecutive victories did not suddenly become meaningless because Barça lost to PSG and Madrid but maintaining an identity should not mean refusing to evolve.
Barcelona’s best football under Flick comes when aggression is accompanied by control. When possession is lost carelessly, the high line becomes vulnerable and midfielders are forced to sprint backwards rather than dictate the game.
That is the real lesson from the last week as Barca do not need a new philosophy. They need a more mature version of the one they already have and against Alaves, while the result matters, the manner of the response may reveal even more.