BARCELONA: Barcelona had hoped they had ironed out the defensive weakness that marred their 2013-14 season but on Tuesday 3-2 Champions League reverse at Paris St Germain appeared to suggest the opposite.
Going into the Group F clash at the Parc des Princes, Barca had yet to concede a goal in seven outings in all competitions but their back line was all too fragile and the Ligue 1 champions took full advantage.
David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi all breached the visitors’ defence as PSG took early control of the group and handed Barca’s new coach Luis Enrique his first competitive reverse since he took over at the end of last season.
Barca’s pacy fullbacks, Dani Alves on the right and Jordi Alba on the left, may be dangerous going forward but they often neglect their defensive duties.
Centre backs Javier Mascherano, a converted midfielder, and new signing Jeremy Mathieu, meanwhile, did little to suggest they deserve a regular place in the starting lineup ahead of the likes of Gerard Pique, Thomas Vermaelen and Marc Bartra.
Andres Iniesta, who captained the side on his 100th appearance in Europe’s elite club competition, said it would be wrong to blame the defence alone for yesterday’s defeat.
“When we lose, we lose together,” the Spain international told reporters.
While their defence is an obvious cause for concern, Barcelona attack has been firing on all cylinders, with Lionel Messi and Neymar on prolific form and each scoring in Paris.(Reuters)