Hansi Flick’s remarks about Marc-André ter Stegen’s error in the Barcelona defeat underscore the necessity of adhering to tactical instructions.

The main talking point from Barcelona’s first defeat of the season in their Champions League opener against Monaco was Marc-André ter Stegen’s mistake while trying to play out from the back. This error led to Eric García’s red card, leaving Barça to play the final 80 minutes with just 10 men.

Ter Stegen has been a target for criticism over the years, and his performance on Thursday only amplified those concerns. However, Hansi Flick continues to support him. In a press conference on Saturday, Flick acknowledged the mistake but highlighted the importance of Ter Stegen’s ball-playing ability within his system. He also provided the goalkeeper with clear instructions to avoid such errors in the future.

The key issue in the play that led to Ter Stegen’s error was his hesitation in making a pass to Eric García. Although the opportunity was initially there, it closed before Ter Stegen committed to it, resulting in a poorly executed pass.

Flick’s “clear orders” will likely focus on encouraging quicker decision-making with those passes and not hesitating to play it long when necessary. He’ll want Ter Stegen to trust his teammates to challenge for the ball in the air and fight for second balls after rebounds. There’s no shame in opting for a long ball when the situation demands it.