Barca is not good enough

Barca fell to PSG right at home.

Barcelona go into the clash with PSG full of confidence. Their impressive run in La Liga has left fans convinced that Hansi Flick's side are ready to take on the European elite. But the Champions League is ruthless.

The 1-2 defeat at Montjuïc was not only a defeat in terms of score, but also a harsh reminder: Barca still has a large gap compared to a top team like PSG.

Exciting start, miserable end

Flick and his players started the game well. Lamine Yamal created some explosive moves that sent the crowd into a frenzy from the very first minutes. Ferran Torres put the home team ahead, and the atmosphere was on fire.

But top football is not just about moments. PSG, with the spirit of a champion, quickly pulled the match back on track. Luis Enrique did not panic, but instead remained calm to make reasonable tactical adjustments. Just a few minutes after conceding the goal, PSG took the initiative, forcing Barca into a defensive position.

Notably, PSG traveled to Montjuïc without many stars, including the current Ballon d'Or winner, Ousmane Dembele. However, it was they who showed superior cohesion and tactical discipline.

High pressing prevented Barca from developing the ball coherently. Pedri and De Jong were stifled in midfield, while Lamine Yamal - despite his efforts - gradually lost his breath after two weeks out due to injury.

Barca still need to improve a lot.

PSG's equaliser not only changed the game, but also revealed a big difference on the bench. Luis Enrique read the game better, reacted quicker and made more precise substitutions.

PSG's substitutes - Mayulu being a prime example - came on and immediately made their mark, bringing home the equaliser. Hansi Flick, on the other hand, confusedly withdrew Marcus Rashford, a still-dangerous striker, and kept Lamine Yamal, who was in poor physical condition.

With the score at 1-1, Hansi Flick admitted that Barca lacked a solid defensive structure. But the admission came after the match, meaning little, as his team lost control and let PSG take complete control.

Physical strength - a gap that is difficult to bridge

If I had to point out the most obvious difference, it would be physical strength. In the second half, Barca clearly declined, moving heavily, while PSG maintained their speed and flexibility.

The paradox: PSG is the team that just went through the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hardly had a proper summer break. Yet when they stepped out at Montjuïc, they were the stronger, more resilient team. Pedri was forced to leave the field because he could not continue the momentum, and Lamine Yamal also showed signs of being overloaded. This contrast made Barca's defeat even more bitter.

Losing a Champions League group stage match is never a disaster. The chance to go through, or even win the group, is still open. But what Barca lost more than confidence.

Barca want to prove themselves as title contenders, but their performance against PSG showed clear limitations. They still lack the courage at crucial moments, lack the physical foundation to maintain pressure for 90 minutes, and lack flexibility in adjusting tactics.

Lamine Yamal "turned off the power" before Nuno Mendes.

PSG didn’t need their best squad, but with disciplined play, fierce pressing and superior physical condition, they still defeated Barca right at Montjuïc. For Hansi Flick, this was a valuable lesson: excitement in La Liga does not mean the team is ready to dominate Europe.

This defeat could be a boost if Barca learns from it. The Champions League is a place where only well-rounded teams - tactically, physically and mentally - can go the distance.

Barca clearly saw the difference when facing an “incomplete” but still capable PSG. To become a real candidate, Barca need more than flashes of brilliance from Lamine Yamal or Pedri; they need a team strong enough to stand firm throughout the journey.

This 1-2 defeat hurts because it brings Barca back to earth, but sometimes, that harsh reality is the motivation to grow. The question is whether Barca have enough courage to turn the pain into strength, or will they once again run out of breath on the threshold of glory.

Source: https://znews.vn/barca-chua-du-tam-post1590153.html