Hansi Flick defiant as Barcelona stick to attacking DNA after Brugge thriller

The Catalan side were forced to come from behind three times at the Jan Breydel Stadium, with their high defensive line again exposed as Brugge capitalised on quick transitions.

Goals from Nicolo Tresoldi after six minutes and Carlos Forbs twice (17th and 63rd minutes) put the hosts ahead on each occasion, but Barcelona responded through Ferran Torres' quickfire equaliser just two minutes later, Lamine Yamal's sublime individual effort to level at 2-2 on the hour mark, and an 77th-minute own goal by Christos Tzolis from Yamal's teasing cross. It was the ninth consecutive match in which Barca failed to keep a clean sheet, their longest such run since 2013, yet Flick refused to compromise on his principles.

"We can make a low block and defend in the last third," Flick said after the match. "Or we go our way, our philosophy, how we want to do it and make things much better. When there is no intensity, you have no chance in the Champions League."

The German coach remained defiant when questioned about possible tactical adjustments. "It's not the way to change. We are Barca and we want to play our football, to be active and have intensity with and against the ball," he added. "At the moment we miss it in some moments, but this is not about the philosophy."

Flick admitted that confidence and defensive organisation remain issues, particularly in midfield battles. "In midfield, we don't win the duels, so it's not easy for our last line to defend these fast players. We have to work on that, analyse everything, and speak with the players," he said.

Barcelona's draw leaves them on seven points from four matches in the Champions League league phase, sitting second behind Real Madrid in La Liga ahead of Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo. Flick remains optimistic that returning players, including Raphinha, Pedri, Joan Garcia, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski, will strengthen the squad after the international break.

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong agreed with his manager's assessment, saying the team must "adjust, not change." He admitted defensive lapses have cost them. "We are weak on the counter right now, whether it's tracking runners or positioning. It's probably a bit of everything," he said. "If you concede three goals, it's hard to win."

De Jong also urged teammates to move on from comparisons with last season's treble-winning campaign. "We have to stop comparing ourselves to last year. We weren't the best team in Europe, and we didn't win the Champions League. We have to improve," he said.

Despite the growing pressure, Flick remains committed to his attacking DNA, a stance that could define Barcelona's season as they look to rediscover their edge in Europe.