Barcelona 'way ahead' of Real Madrid but must change 'problem' to win Champions League - 'I've always questioned that'

React to this story

TNT Sports expert and former England manager Glenn Hoddle gave his assessment of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League credentials following their Supercopa de Espana triumph over rivals Real Madrid. Hoddle believes Real are "way behind" their rivals and "relying on individuals" too much, but he also thinks Barca will struggle in Europe unless Hansi Flick ditches his high defensive line.

Madness in El Clasico with THREE goals in six frenetic minutes - 'Can you believe it?!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Barcelona may have ousted Real Madrid in a Spanish Supercopa final thriller to claim more silverware, but TNT Sports' Glenn Hoddle is sceptical about their UEFA Champions League credentials.

Raphinha’s double and a deft Robert Lewandowski finish sealed an extraordinary 3-2 victory in Jeddah that featured three goals in six astonishing minutes during first half stoppage time.

It continued a strong season to date for Hansi Flick’s side, who sit four points clear of their Clasico rivals on top of the La Liga standings midway through the campaign.

Transfers

Arsenal push to secure Guimaraes and Vinicius deals - Paper Round

5 hours ago

German coach Flick won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa in his first season in charge during 2024/25, but his team were knocked out by Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final classic.

Despite defending their Supercopa title in Saudi Arabia against their biggest rivals, former Chelsea and England manager Hoddle believes that Barcelona – who sit 15th in the Champions League table with two games to go – need to adapt their style if they are to lift European football’s biggest prize.

"It has been impressive, it really has. The one thing they’ve got to do now is go on and try to have an attempt at the Champions League. That would be the icing on the cake, that’s what they will be aiming for," Hoddle said on TNT Sports.

Barca celebrate retaining Supercopa de Espana after beating Real Madrid

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I’ve always questioned that. I always feel when they come against the top teams, if they continue having that high line and that back four being so square, a really good team with good players will pick them off. On any given day, you’ll create a lot against them.

"I think that’s the problem. If they slightly change that, they could end up winning the Champions League. But I don’t think he will, I think it’s a tactic he [Flick] wants to keep going with."

Real 'relying on individuals'

While Hoddle had his doubts about Barcelona’s defence, he is confident they are ahead of their rivals at this stage.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has come under pressure in his debut season, with his side sitting second in the league and failing to impress consistently.

"As a team, I think they [Real] are way behind Barcelona. You can see Barcelona have a real good system, everyone had clarity about how they were going to play. Defensively, when they lost the ball, and certainly when they have the ball," Hoddle said.

Raphinha leaves commentators 'scratching heads' with 'incredible' goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

"That’s not taking away anyone’s individual flair. They have a system, but they have individual flair.

"Whereas I feel Real Madrid are relying on individualism. It’s [Kylian] Mbappe, maybe [Jude] Bellingham having a great game, Vinicius tonight. They are relying on individuals. I didn’t really see a team that had clarity, where you think ‘That’s a difficult system to play against.’

"They found it hard to close Barcelona. A lot of teams will find it hard because they are so good on the ball. But there are some question marks there.

"They have a batch of players who are good players, a few exceptional players, but overall, I don’t see the depth of their team as exceptional."

Vinicius ends goal drought in style - 'Sheer class'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers