High-Flying Barcelona Have Drawn Twice as Many Offsides Than Next-Nearest in Europe’s Top Five Leagues

In what is fast becoming a key feature of their success, Barcelona’s offside trap has seen them draw over twice as many as the next-nearest in Europe this season.

Six points clear at the summit in Spain. 37 goals scored and just 10 conceded in 11 games. Hansi Flick’s new-look Barcelona are glimmering with boldness and mettle – something that has been missing from the Blaugrana in recent years.

Nothing signals their resurgence in form like consecutive victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid by an aggregate scoreline of 8-1.

Flick’s Barca are undoubtedly shaped in his vision for a brave, bold brand of football that places a heavy emphasis on aggressive, front-foot pressing.

This has been evident throughout their storming start in La Liga, as well as in Europe, but their 4-1 El Clasico win saw perhaps their most gallant effort yet.

With the knowledge that Real Madrid have a preference for running in behind given the pace and power of their frontline, Barcelona’s offside trap found a startling new gear on Saturday evening.

Kylian Mbappé had a 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫-𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 8 offsides against Barcelona in ElClásico 😳

Hansi Flick’s offside trap had his number 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZP6S37yktk

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 26, 2024

Barcelona Offside Trap Saw Real Madrid Caught 12 Times

Hansi Flick’s daring tactics saw Barcelona’s back line push right up to the half-way line or beyond for most of the match, and in doing so the gap between centre-backs Cubarsi and Martinez, and Robert Lewandowski was never more than a quarter of the pitch.

Pedri and Marc Casado in the double pivot just ahead of the defence pinched Real Madrid’s attack, while Fermin Lopez in the ’10’ role could often be seen dropping in to press the Los Blancos midfield, as soon as they entered a dangerous position.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have been well amongst the goals this season, but their defensive work as the first pressing line is certainly worth mentioning too.

Frenkie De Jong’s return to action also gave us a glimpse of his importance to come in Flick’s system.

An inherently smooth operator, the Dutchman completed the fifth-most passes (36) along with the best pass accuracy (97%) on the day for Barca. Not only this, it was his first 45-minute appearance of the season after recovering from a long-term ankle injury – no mean feat away at the Bernabeu.

Passing lanes became increasingly narrow for a dumbfounded Madrid side, who were forced to play hopeful balls in behind what looked to be vulnerable, high defensive backline from Barcelona.

However, Barcelona’s masterful offside trap – a product of hours of repetition and tactical teachings on the training ground – saw their backline expand, contract and move vertically in perfect synchronicity.

Most Offsides Drawn in Europe

Barcelona drawing 12 offsides against Real Madrid brings their total for the season up to 77 in 14 games – an average of 5.5 offsides drawn per 90.

This is double the amount that the next-nearest in Europe’s top five leagues, Brighton, have managed.

5. Osasuna – 30 offsides drawn

4. Parma – 31 offsides drawn

3. Fulham – 33 offsides drawn

2. Brighton – 35 offsides drawn

1. Barcelona – 77 offsides drawn