Former Liverpool star and football pundit, Jamie Carragher, has predicted that Barcelona will not win the UEFA Champions League this season despite their recent impressive performances.
Carragher made this known while speaking on CBS Sports after Barcelona’s 6-1 demolition of Olympiakos on Tuesday night at the Nou Camp. The Spanish giants put up a dominant show with goals from Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, and Marcus Rashford, among others.
While acknowledging Barcelona’s attacking strength, Carragher said their defensive weaknesses will stop them from lifting the Champions League trophy this season. He argued that their backline — featuring Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Alejandro Balde — lacks the solidity needed to compete against Europe’s elite teams.
“They lost last season’s semi-final because of naivety and inexperience,” Carragher noted. “When you look at this back four, I don’t think they can win the Champions League. It’s not just about the high line they play; it’s also about their defensive quality. Whenever you watch them, the opponents always have chances.”
Carragher added that Barcelona’s young defenders will struggle against more experienced and clinical sides such as Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. Despite Hansi Flick’s attacking style and Barcelona’s strong start to the competition, Carragher believes their defence remains their biggest obstacle to European glory.
