Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman says he was left baffled by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s approach in their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona lost 2-1 at home on Wednesday despite taking the lead through Ferran Torres. PSG hit back through 19-year-old Senny Mayulu before Goncalo Ramos struck late on to secure victory for the holders.
Flick’s decision to maintain an aggressive high line in the closing stages has drawn criticism, with McManaman branding the defeat “self-inflicted”.
“It’s self-inflicted from Barcelona,” he told TNT Sports. “Why on earth in the last minute of normal time are you playing that high on the halfway line? It baffles me.
“If they don’t sort this out they won’t win this competition because you cannot play like this. It’s an awful goal to concede at any level.”
Barcelona were eliminated at the semi-final stage by Inter Milan last season and McManaman believes similar defensive lapses could again undermine their hopes.
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