Eric Garcia Explains Why Flick’s Barcelona Are Different From Guardiola’s Legendary Team
Eric García has explained why he believes Hansi Flick’s Barcelona should not be directly compared with Pep Guardiola’s iconic side, despite some similarities between the two teams.
The Barcelona defender is currently with Spain ahead of their UEFA Nations League meeting with England and has been discussing Barça’s impressive start to the new season.
García admitted that even the Barcelona players have been surprised by some of the levels they have reached, but insisted the team must remain focused with the campaign still in its early stages.
García Amazed by Barcelona’s Current Level
Barcelona have made an impressive start to the season, and García says the players are fully aware of the quality they are producing in training and competitive matches.
“There are moments in the match when we’re amazed, because in the end, we ourselves are aware of the level, because we see it in training sessions.”
However, the defender was quick to stress that there is still a long way to go.
García believes maintaining their consistency will be more important than their early results or performances.
“It’s true that we’re enjoying it. And it’s true that this is just the beginning of the season, and that the road is still very long.”
“But I think that if we maintain this consistency throughout the season, we’ll achieve big things.”
That consistency will be particularly important as Barcelona enter a demanding schedule involving La Liga, the Champions League and domestic competitions.
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García Reacts to Mourinho’s Return to Real Madrid
The Barcelona defender was also asked about José Mourinho's return to La Liga with Real Madrid and the prospect of another intense chapter in the rivalry between the two clubs.
For García, there is no doubt about the importance of El Clásico.
“I think the Barcelona-Madrid match always has that special something. I think it’s the biggest match there can be in the world.”
García was still very young during Mourinho's famous Real Madrid era, but remembers watching those Clásico encounters.
“I was very young when those Clásico matches happened, but they were always beautiful to watch.”
The return of Mourinho adds another layer of intrigue to one of football's biggest fixtures.
Flick’s Barça Are Not Guardiola’s Barça
One of the most interesting parts of García's interview came when he was asked whether Flick's Barcelona could eventually reach the level of Guardiola's legendary team.
The defender acknowledged some similarities but stressed that the two sides have fundamentally different approaches.
“I think that despite there being some similarities, we play in a different way.”
García believes Guardiola's Barcelona had an extraordinary level of control over matches.
“I think they had complete and absolute control over the game.”
Flick's team can also dominate possession and control periods of matches, but García highlighted one major difference: the intensity of their pressing.
High Pressing Is Central to Flick’s Barcelona
According to García, Barcelona's approach after losing possession is a defining characteristic of Flick's team.
“For us, pressing is of utmost importance.”
The defender explained that Barcelona look to immediately pressure opponents after losing the ball, while maintaining a very high defensive line.
“Pressing after losing the ball, and pressing the opponent all the time, and suffocating them, and playing with a very advanced line.”
That aggressive approach creates a clear tactical distinction between Flick's Barcelona and Guardiola's historic side.
While Guardiola's team became renowned for controlling games through possession and positional play, Flick's version places enormous emphasis on winning the ball back quickly and putting opponents under constant pressure.
García: ‘My Blood’s Hot’ When I Lose
Away from football tactics, García also gave a glimpse into his personality away from the pitch.
The Barcelona defender described himself as someone who prefers a quiet lifestyle.
“Quiet. I watch football, play PlayStation with my friends, and train. And not much more than that.”
But there is one thing that quickly changes his mood: losing.
Asked how he reacts when things do not go his way, García was blunt.
“It pisses me off a lot. Yeah, yeah, my blood’s hot.”
His comments provide another glimpse into the competitive mentality that he brings to Barcelona and Spain, even though he describes himself as a relatively quiet person away from football.
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