Barcelona fight back three times for thrilling 3-3 draw against Club Brugge

Barcelona from Spain had to recover from deficits on three occasions to secure a 3-3 stalemate with Club Brugge during their Champions League encounter on Wednesday.

Young forward Lamine Yamal shone brightly for Hansi Flick's team, contributing to their hard-earned point in an intense match in Belgium.

The visitors' backline faced repeated threats from the home side, with Brugge's forward Carlos Forbs scoring twice and assisting Nicolo Tresoldi.

Goals from Ferran Torres, Yamal, and an unfortunate own goal by Christos Tzolis spared Barcelona from a potential embarrassing loss, despite missing several key players due to injuries.

"This was a match we needed to claim victory in, yet we must improve significantly," Barcelona's playmaker Frenkie de Jong remarked to Movistar.

"Certain adjustments are necessary, and we are addressing them... conceding three goals makes it tough to triumph."

The Catalan club has shown inconsistency lately, suffering a defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the latest La Liga Clasico.

Defensive woes have plagued Barcelona throughout the campaign, but Flick insisted his squad would stick to their approach and elevated defensive positioning.

"We could discuss overhauling our tactics, but that is not my style as a manager," Flick explained.

"Our play reflects our identity... this is Barcelona."

Club Brugge opened the scoring early at the Jan Breydel Stadium via Tresoldi, assisted by the dynamic Forbs.

Forbs exploited gaps behind Barcelona's defence repeatedly, establishing a pattern for how the Belgians could trouble the Spanish outfit consistently.

Flick's players responded swiftly, with Torres netting a smart goal after Fermin Lopez set him up neatly.

Lopez rattled the post moments later, but Forbs restored Brugge's advantage in the fierce contest between two attack-minded teams.

The Portuguese player exchanged passes with Tzolis, surged past Barcelona's rearguard again, and slotted past Wojciech Szczesny with confidence.

At the opposite end, Barcelona's Jules Kounde struck the bar as the semi-finalists from last season pushed for equality.

Yamal, pivotal once more following some subdued outings, fashioned an opportunity for Torres before halftime, though the forward guided the ball beyond Nordin Jackers and astray.

Szczesny denied Joaquin Seys at the upright as Brugge pressed forward in the second period, refusing to sit back on their lead.

Eric Garcia nearly found the net from distance but joined two teammates in striking the goal frame, his shot rebounding off the crossbar.

Barcelona finally equalised with a superb effort, Yamal linking elegantly with Lopez to penetrate the defence.

Lopez backheeled the ball to the young star, who lifted it over Jackers into the far corner.

Plenty of threats

Forbs squandered a clear chance to regain the lead for Brugge but capitalised on a subsequent opening with a composed chip.

Hans Vanaken released him on goal, and Forbs lofted the ball delicately over Szczesny for his brace and Brugge's third strike.

Forbs earned a spot-kick after tangling with Barcelona's Alejandro Balde inside the penalty area, but VAR intervention overturned it, deeming the contact accidental from the forward.

Jackers made an outstanding stop to deflect a Yamal shot aimed for the upper corner, yet he was helpless against Barcelona's leveller that followed soon after.

Yamal's shot from the flank curled off Tzolis's head and past the keeper.

"I am focusing on regaining my top form through training and matches, as that is when I thrive most," Yamal shared with Movistar.

Brugge appeared to snatch victory in added time when experienced keeper Szczesny mishandled in his box, losing possession to Romeo Vermant who challenged him.

Vermant tapped into the unguarded goal, but officials disallowed it following VAR scrutiny, citing a foul by the Belgian on the grateful Szczesny.

"They posed numerous threats, reaching our box with just a few passes, which is clearly an area for improvement," Barcelona's defender Garcia noted.