The Japan Times - Barcelona defence on 'another level' now, says Flick

The Catalans have won three matches in a row after a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in the Champions League near the end of November.

Barca face Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday in Europe as they fight for a top eight finish in the league phase.

With several players back from injury last week Barca beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and Real Betis 5-3.

"Everyone knows what happened in the last three months, a lot of injuries, very important players out, the last weeks we have to manage the minutes, the load of every player," Flick told a news conference.

The coach said although his team shipped three against Betis, the use of his high defensive line system was good and the players were tired in the final stages, when two of those goals were scored.

"The last 10 minutes, they were exhausted," reasoned Flick, whose side also let in three at Club Brugge in a 3-3 draw earlier in November.

"I said this morning to them, the (back) line is doing really good, we're getting pressure on the ball, we are connected. This is what we need.

"And the (high) line, they play it on another level than maybe one month, five weeks ago."

The win over Betis left Barca four points clear at the top of La Liga, with attention turning to the clash against Frankfurt.

In 2022 Barcelona suffered a humiliating Europa League elimination at the hands of the German side, whose fans filled the stands at Camp Nou.

Barcelona restricted access to tickets as a result this year, anxious to avoid similar scenes at their reopened stadium.

That defeat was arguably the club's lowest ebb, but in the years since they have risen sharply, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

The Frankfurt match will be the club's first game in the competition at Camp Nou since October 2022.

"For everyone it was a dream to come back and play in Camp Nou," said Flick.

"It's also important for the Champions League. It's a really important match for us tomorrow.

"We have to win, we want to win three points. We want to show our best level."

The coach said goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen may return to the squad after injury but made clear Joan Garcia "is number one".

H.Takahashi--JT