Barcelona shot themselves in the foot – Hansi Flick told his side still haven’t learnt from past mistakes after Atletico defeat

Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final hopes were left hanging by a thread after a self-inflicted 2-0 home defeat to Atlético Madrid, a result that prompted former Blaugrana midfielder Emmanuel Petit to claim the club “still hasn’t learned from its mistakes.”

Goals from Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth inside an electric Montjuïc gave Diego Simeone’s side a commanding lead ahead of next week’s return leg in the Spanish capital, while Barça were reduced to ten men when teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi received his marching orders.

Petit, speaking to RMC Sport, did not hide his frustration. “I love watching Barça. But once again, they shot themselves in the foot,” he said. “They still don’t have the right defensive profiles to be able to play so high up.”

The Frenchman’s critique centred on the Catalans’ insistence on holding a high defensive line, a tactic he believes has repeatedly been exposed in past knock-out ties and resurfaced to costly effect on Wednesday night.

Barça had opportunities to find the net but lacked composure in the final third, and their task grew steeper when Álvarez curled in a set-piece after Cubarsi’s dismissal. Pushing for a lifeline with a man less, the hosts were caught on the break as Sørloth sealed the 2-0 scoreline ahead of the journey to Madrid.

The defeat leaves Hansi Flick’s men requiring a remarkable turnaround at the Metropolitano if they are to avoid an early exit and keep their European dream alive.