Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez explains problems with the offside line: “If you don’t do it, it will be suicide”

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez he noted that it’s not always the defenders’ fault when their top offside line is beaten by their opponents. Martinez was praised for his deft positioning as a Blaugrana veteran, but that has all gone downhill lately.

The 33-year-old was asked ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League match against Brest on Tuesday whether he ever asks Flick to drop the issue or whether they discuss it. Martinez made it clear that everything is a function of what lies ahead.

“The coach is very clear about the height of the defensive line. This height does not always have to be in the center of the field. This happens when the opponent is well pressed forward. If this is not the case, it is suicide. We pushed a little too much in the last few games. We have to do this when the opponent is pressed hard.

Flick agreed after Martinez’s statement in the press that the entire team must be on the same wavelength, which Bask also expressed.

I think this applies to the entire team, not just the defensive line. The pressure starts with the players at the front, and if it’s not good, we suffer at the back. We all attack and defend ourselves. With the exception of the last two games, the team’s work was excellent. This is the line we must follow.”

Barcelona have struggled at times without their starting eleven on the pitch and that was the case with Gerard Martin at left-back on Saturday. Pau Cubarsi and Martinez played in virtually all of Barcelona’s matches, with the few exceptions of Barca Atletic’s Eric Garcia and Sergi Dominguez. Alejandro Balde is out of the game on Tuesday, so it will most likely be Martin or Hector Fort at left-back against Brest.