Battling Barcelona earn 3-3 draw in thriller against Brugge
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in action with Club Brugge's Joaquin Seys.
Follow topic:
BRUGES – Barcelona admitted they need to do “a lot better” after they needed to come from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal was back to his best for Hansi Flick’s side to help them earn a point in a gripping clash in Belgium.
Barca’s defence was shredded on multiple occasions by the hosts as Brugge winger Carlos Forbs struck twice and set one up for Nicolo Tresoldi.
Ferran Torres, Yamal and a Christos Tzolis own goal saved Barcelona from what would have been a humiliating defeat, even though they have several players out injured.
“It’s a game I think we have to win, we have to do things a lot better,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar. “We have to adjust some things, we know that, we’re working on it... if you let in three goals it’s difficult to win.”
Barcelona have been in shaky form in recent weeks, including losing against rivals Real Madrid in La Liga.
The Catalans have struggled defensively for much of the season but Flick said his team would not change their style and high defensive line.
“We can speak about changing everything, but I am not a coach to change this,” he said. “We want to play (how) our DNA is... we are Barca.”
The hosts took an early lead at the Jan Breydel stadium through Tresoldi, who was set up by the electric Forbs. Flick’s side hit back quickly through Torres, but Forbs netted Brugge’s second in a relentless battle between two sides determined to attack.
Brugge continued to attack in the second half, showing no intention of trying to protect their lead.
Barcelona eventually pulled level as Yamal combined with Lopez superbly to break through.
Forbs wasted a fine chance to put his team ahead again but given another opportunity minutes later, took it with a stylish finish. Hans Vanaken played him through on goal and he delicately dinked it for his second and Brugge’s third.
Barca’s third equaliser then came when Yamal’s curling effort deflected off Tzolis’s head and into the net.
“They have created a lot of danger on the counter-attack and we should have done much better everywhere,” a visibly frustrated Torres added.
“It seemed like that with two passes they were already in our box. We have to find ways to improve. The team reacted well, we had a lot of chances. But when you’re behind... It’s tough.” AFP, REUTERS
