Barcelona Legend Identifies Key Weakness Flick Must Fix to Win The Champions League

According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday October 14, 2026, Former Barcelona defender Abelardo Fernandez has warned that Hansi Flick must strengthen his team’s defence if they want to win the Champions League this season.

Despite Barcelona winning their first 10 competitive matches, the former Spain international believes the squad still lacks a reliable centre-back capable of handling Europe’s strongest attacking sides.

Speaking on Onda Cero’s Radioestadio programme, Abelardo praised Barcelona’s impressive performances but expressed concerns about their defensive options. He believes their current weaknesses could become costly during the Champions League knockout stages.

“I hope I’m wrong, but to win the Champions League I think FC Barcelona are missing something in defence – a reliable centre-back,” he said.

The former defender, who won two La Liga titles with Barcelona, insisted that the team needs more quality at the back to compete consistently against Europe’s elite clubs.

“I think there’s still a shortfall in defence – in my opinion, a lack of top-class players – to be able to challenge for the Champions League. They can win it, but I think they’re still missing something,” he added.

Barcelona’s defensive depth has become a concern, with Flick reportedly considering Frenkie de Jong as a possible option at centre-back during training.

Abelardo also highlighted the importance of winning individual defensive battles against dangerous forwards. He specifically mentioned players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Harry Kane as opponents Barcelona must be prepared to contain.

The Catalan side’s high defensive line allows them to press aggressively, but it can also leave spaces for opposition attackers to exploit. Abelardo believes their ability to manage these situations could determine whether they lift the European trophy.

Despite his concerns, the former Barcelona player praised the team’s attacking strength and singled out Lamine Yamal for special recognition.

“If Lamine Yamal plays at that level, Barça will be unstoppable,” he declared.

Abelardo concluded by describing Barcelona’s current form as exceptional, adding that he considers Flick’s team the best in Europe.

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