Barcelona’s defensive issues have been exposed in recent weeks, with back-to-back defeats highlighting a tactical weakness opponents are learning to exploit. Surprisingly, the inspiration for this approach comes from Harry Kane.
Why strikers are standing “offside”
Traditionally, strikers are taught to stay level with defenders to avoid being flagged. But forwards like Kane and PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos have shown how deliberately drifting into offside positions can be used to their advantage.
Ramos, who scored a 90th-minute winner for PSG against Barcelona, admitted he took inspiration from Kane’s clever movement against the Catalans in 2024. By starting behind Barcelona’s high defensive line, both strikers were able to time their runs perfectly once the ball was played wide.
This unconventional positioning unsettles defenders, who prefer attackers in front of them where they can track their movement. Instead, defenders are forced to turn and chase, giving the striker a crucial head start.
Exploiting Barcelona’s high line
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona press aggressively and rely on pushing up as a unit to catch teams offside. The problem is momentum. While Barcelona’s defenders are stepping forward, their opponents are already facing goal, ready to sprint in behind.
Wide players like PSG’s Achraf Hakimi or Bayern’s Serge Gnabry become vital in this tactic. They make onside runs down the flanks, receive the ball, and drive forward while the central striker recovers from his offside position to attack the back post. Both Kane and Ramos scored in this exact fashion.
A repeat problem
It’s not just PSG and Bayern who have exploited this flaw. Barcelona have conceded similar goals in La Liga against Levante, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla – who recently thrashed them 4-1.
The growing trend shows that Barcelona’s reliance on a high line leaves them vulnerable, especially against teams with quick wingers and intelligent strikers.
Conclusion
Harry Kane’s clever use of positioning has inspired a tactic that is becoming a blueprint for beating Barcelona’s defence. By starting offside and relying on fast wide runners, opponents are finding ways to dismantle their high line. Unless Barcelona adapt quickly, more teams will look to punish them using the same method.