Barcelona's recent history in the UEFA Champions League has been marred by defensive struggles, with the team conceding a staggering 27 goals in their past five elimination ties. The defensive woes highlight a recurring issue for Marc-André ter Stegen and his teammates, raising concerns about the team's ability to withstand top opposition in crucial matches.
The trend began in the 2018 season when Barcelona faced Roma and ended in a surprising 4-4 aggregate draw, resulting in elimination on away goals. The defensive frailties continued in subsequent campaigns, with notable defeats against Liverpool in 2019 (4-3) and Bayern Munich in 2020 (8-2).
Most recently, Barcelona faced PSG in the 2024 edition of the tournament, where they suffered a 6-4 defeat on aggregate. This marked the fifth consecutive elimination tie in which Barcelona's defense struggled to contain their opponents, conceding goals at an alarming rate.
As Barcelona looks to rebuild and strengthen their squad, addressing the defensive vulnerabilities will be a top priority. The high number of goals conceded in crucial Champions League ties underscores the need for defensive reinforcements and tactical adjustments to ensure a more resilient backline in future campaigns.
