Defenders question Barca tactics

Barcelona defenders Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti have admitted their side’s new 3-4-3 formation leaves them vulnerable at the back.

Coach Luis Enrique made the switch to a flat back three after his side’s 4-0 loss in Paris but last week’s 2-1 loss at Deportivo followed by an entertaining but flawed 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia has led to questions being asked.

"They're the risks we take," Pique responded when asked post-match if the formation leaves them exposed defensively.

"We are an offensive team, we like to attack, but that comes with consequences.

"So at the back we suffer a little more because there's more space behind us and at the moment we're adapting to it.

"To be a Barca defender comes with a special responsibility and those are the risks you have to take."

Umtiti agreed: "With the 3-4-3 we are exposed defensively, so [as defenders] we have to balance our positioning and our movements well.

"After losing to Depor we needed to win and now after the international break come the games that we all look forward to competing in."

Tags Gerard Pique Samuel Umtiti
La Liga - Club News