Barcelona may be just a few defensive tweaks away from reclaiming their spot among Europe's elite, according to club legend Miguel Angel Nadal.

The former defender-turned-analyst believes Hansi Flick's side have the attacking firepower to go all the way in the Champions League—but their leaky backline is holding them back. After quarter-final and semi-final exits under Flick's watch, the message is clear: tighten up, or fall short again.

"I think this year Barcelona genuinely had a great chance of winning it," Nadal told BetBrothers. "What do they still lack for me? A more solid defence. At a collective level, when they face matches, they don't mind carrying the weight of the game. They control the play, they have attacking resolution and a good average of goals scored per match, but they concede quite a few on the counter-attack, and in Europe that is crucial."

Nadal pointed to a recent friendly against Newcastle as a warning sign. "Even against Newcastle, whom they beat, they conceded goals. In Europe, once you reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals or a possible final, you need more defensive solidity."

But it's not all doom and gloom. The Spanish tactician sees a bright future if the club addresses its vulnerabilities—and that means shoring up not just the backline, but the midfield too. "Spanish football is attractive, but the differences are noticeable when you play in Europe. If you want to reach the final or win the title, they need to become a bit more solid defensively. And that's not exclusively the defence, it can also be in midfield. But I think Barcelona in the coming years will be a clear contender for the Champions League."

With transfer rumors swirling, Barcelona are reportedly targeting Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni as their top center-back priority this summer. If they can pair that defensive upgrade with their already potent attack, the Blaugrana might just be ready to roar back onto Europe's biggest stage.