Luis Enrique believes his side’s increased pragmatism this season stems from opposition teams changing their styles to combat possession football.
The Barcelona style of ‘tiki taka’ passing football has been prominent over the last decade but recently fans have questioned a perceived shift to greater reliance on the side’s three forwards and playing more direct football to suit them.
"Other coaches aren't letting us play the way we played in the past," said Enrique on Tuesday ahead of his side’s clash with Sporting Gijon.
"There is more pressure on us, teams don't let us pass so much.
"As far as philosophy is concerned, you don't have ball just to have it. It's a means to an end. You want it to open up spaces, so if an opponent gives you space and you only need two passes to score, that's what happens in football."
