Getafe Manager Jose Bordalas Identifies Barcelona’s Biggest Strength: ‘Best in La Liga and Europe’
Barcelona’s ability to dominate opponents without the ball has earned them recognition from an unexpected source ahead of their La Liga clash against Getafe.
Getafe manager Jose Bordalas has praised Hansi Flick’s team for their relentless pressing and ability to recover possession, arguing that Barcelona’s defensive work is just as impressive as their attacking football.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Spotify Camp Nou, Bordalas acknowledged the quality within Barcelona’s squad while insisting that his team would approach the challenge without fear.
His comments underline one of the defining features of Flick’s Barcelona: the ability to turn defensive pressure into immediate attacking opportunities.
Jose Bordalas Names Barcelona’s Biggest Strength
Barcelona’s pressing has become a fundamental part of Flick’s tactical identity. Rather than simply retreating into a defensive shape after losing possession, the Catalans frequently attempt to win the ball back immediately and prevent opponents from launching counterattacks.
Bordalas believes few teams currently execute that approach as effectively.
“They’re one of the best teams in the league and even in Europe. Football has changed a great deal and teams have adapted,” the Getafe manager explained.
“Barça have players who give their all time and again and get back into the game after losing possession like no one else.”
He went on to make a particularly striking observation about Barcelona’s performances without the ball.
“I really like them with the ball, but I like them even more without it. I think that, at the moment, they’re also the best team in La Liga when playing without the ball,” he said.
The praise reflects the importance of Barcelona’s coordinated pressing. When players close down opponents together, they can force hurried decisions, recover possession in dangerous areas and create scoring opportunities before the opposition has time to reorganise.
For Flick, that ability is central to the way his team wants to play.
Bordalas Wants to Face Barcelona at Full Strength
Bordalas was also asked which Barcelona player he would remove from the starting lineup if he had the opportunity.
The Getafe coach refused to single out an individual, explaining that he would rather test his team against the strongest possible opposition.
“As a football lover, I wouldn’t drop anyone because I always like to face the best. To make a difference, we’d have to drop them all, and that’s not possible,” he added.
His response acknowledges the depth of talent available to Flick, whose squad contains several players capable of influencing a match.
For Getafe, the challenge is therefore not limited to stopping one particular star. They must find a way to cope with Barcelona’s collective movement, pressing and attacking combinations.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal Receive Special Praise
Bordalas also discussed Raphinha’s potential availability, recognising the Brazilian’s importance to Barcelona’s attacking play.
The winger has become a major influence through his work rate, direct running and ability to combine with teammates. His pressing also makes him an important component of Flick’s defensive structure.
Bordalas described Raphinha as being in “incredible form, linking up well and making a fantastic impact.”
However, the Getafe manager acknowledged that Barcelona possess other attacking options capable of causing problems if the Brazilian is unavailable.
Lamine Yamal also received praise from Bordalas, who highlighted the teenager’s talent and long-term potential while avoiding premature comparisons with the greatest players in the world.
“He’s very young and has enormous potential and a bright future ahead of him,” Bordalas said.
“It’s too early to say whether he’s the best in the world because there are some truly great footballers around at the moment, but he has a very long career ahead of him, and I have no doubt how far he can go given the talent he possesses.”
Yamal’s creativity and ability to beat defenders make him a significant threat, particularly when Barcelona recover possession and attack before the opposition can establish its defensive shape.
Getafe Know One Mistake Could Be Costly
Despite his admiration for Barcelona, Bordalas believes Getafe can compete if his players remain disciplined and make the right decisions under pressure.
One of the biggest challenges will be escaping Barcelona’s press without giving the hosts opportunities to win possession close to goal.
Getafe must remain composed when building attacks from the back, identify passing options quickly and avoid unnecessary risks in dangerous areas.
“We need to stay calm when breaking out of their press and read the game well,” Bordalas explained.
He also warned his players about the consequences of losing possession in the wrong areas.
“We’ve already seen this at the start of the season: if you make a mistake against Barça, they’ll make you pay dearly,” he concluded.
That warning captures the danger Barcelona pose under Flick. Their pressing is not simply intended to disrupt opponents; it can also become the starting point for some of their most dangerous attacks.
Barcelona’s Pressing Could Decide the Getafe Clash
Bordalas’ comments offer a clear indication of the challenge Getafe expect at Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s attacking quality will naturally attract attention, but their ability to recover possession quickly could prove equally decisive. If Flick’s players maintain their intensity and prevent Getafe from playing comfortably out of defence, the visitors could find it difficult to establish a rhythm.
Getafe, meanwhile, will need composure, concentration and intelligent decision-making to escape the pressure.
The contest will test whether Bordalas’ side can put those principles into practice against one of La Liga’s most aggressive pressing teams.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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