Barcelona’s Champions League hopes questioned despite La Liga summit win

Barcelona moved top of La Liga with a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid, but their defensive shortcomings have raised fresh doubts about whether Hansi Flick’s side can win the Champions League.

Fermin Lopez scored both goals as Barcelona came from behind at the Wanda Metropolitano, securing three important points before the international break. Yet the performance also revived concerns over a defence that has conceded too many goals and remains affected by injuries.

The question posed by Pablo Pinto on the programme Carrusel Canalla has become a major talking point in Spain: “Do you think Barcelona are capable of winning the Champions League with this defensive line?”

Victory exposes familiar weakness

The match was crucial in the race for first place, with the winners guaranteed to lead La Liga at least until the conclusion of the international break.

Atletico, managed by Diego Simeone, saw the game as an opportunity to demonstrate their return to the title contest and to gain revenge following the Julian Alvarez case, which had damaged relations between the two clubs. Barcelona, meanwhile, needed a response after defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Atletico made the stronger start and took the lead after 10 minutes through Giuliano. The hosts controlled much of the first half, but Fermin levelled shortly before the interval. Barcelona improved after the break and Fermin scored again to complete the turnaround.

It was a valuable win against a strong opponent in difficult circumstances, but Barcelona’s defensive display remained unconvincing. With several players unavailable in that area, debate has intensified over whether the squad needs reinforcements.

January signing limited by finances

Several defenders have been mentioned, although some observers have defended the current options.

Spanish coach Marcos Lopez said: “Gerard Martin’s performance was excellent, honestly. He played brilliantly at centre-back and at full-back.”

Luis Flaquer, however, said: “If I found a player who added value, I would sign a centre-back in the winter.” Any move would be complicated by Barcelona’s financial restrictions.

Jordi Marti said the club currently had only “three to four million” remaining within its salary limit. As a result, he added, “to sign a centre-back on a suitable salary, we would have to sell another player.”

That could make a deal dependent on a departure such as Alejandro Balde, who, according to the article, has not been relied upon by Flick. The manager even preferred to use Brian Farinas, a midfielder, at full-back rather than include him in the squad.

Former player Kiko Narvaez said on Carrusel Deportivo that Barcelona had looked like “an ordinary team”. Comparing their display with Bayern Munich’s midweek performance at the Wanda Metropolitano, he described them as “two teams from different levels” in a Champions League context.

Marti said Barcelona must correct their approach, adjust their tactics and manage matches better when a result is within reach, while avoiding the mistakes made in previous Champions League knockout ties. He said they needed to “manage their minutes in possession to defend” and “adjust the risks of relying on a high defensive line when necessary”.

Santi Ovalle argued that Barcelona remain strong contenders when all their players are fit, with several key members currently injured or only recently returned.

Miguel Martin Talavera defended the young defenders, saying: “People seem to forget that Cubarsi is a World Cup winner and a regular for the best national team in the world.”

He added: “You cannot rely on Gerard Martin, Cubarsi and the young players only when you play badly or lose. That seems unfair to me.”

Barcelona’s officials therefore remain confident that the situation will improve once the full squad is available, and that the team can still challenge for the Champions League.