Barça tops Champions League red-card list as Flick-era tactics backfire
Barcelona’s 0-2 loss to Atlético Madrid highlighted a growing disciplinary crisis: since 2016/17 Barça have 12 Champions League red cards—the most among Europe’s big clubs—far ahead of Real Madrid (6) and Bayern Munich (8). The trend is linked to Hansi Flick’s high defensive line, which has produced four red cards in two seasons, including Pau Cubarsi’s two reds in a year and Ronald Araujo’s two in two seasons, often forcing risky defensive fouls that blunt Barça’s attacking edge in big matches.
