About a year ago, Xavi’s Barcelona crumbled under pressure in the Champions League. Fast-forward to 2025, and under Hans-Dieter Flick, the same team has shown a newfound DNA. The shift in mentality is undeniable, and here’s how it has transformed players’ mindsets into a team built for adversity.
How Flick Transformed Barcelona’s Mental Toughness
Barcelona’s heartbreaking collapse against PSG last season was not just bad luck; it also involved a weak mentality. The moment Araujo was sent off, the team lost belief even though they held the lead. The Catalans played like a side that was expected to lose, and that’s precisely what happened. But now, under Hansi Flick, the fragile mindset has been completely replaced.
The circumstances were like Deja Vu against Benfica—an early red card, a UCL KO game, and an opponent ready to pounce. But only this time, the Blaugrana did not break. The players embraced the challenge, dug in, and fought every inch. Players like Pedri, Szczesny, and Raphinha proved pivotal, even though Benfica striker Pavilidis and co. threw everything at them. But Barca stood firm.
Why Flick’s Tactical Mindset Is What Barca Need in the UCL
Last season, Xavi’s Barca was tactically much superior to PSG. The game was almost won until the card drama, but one thing the Spanish manager missed was that tactics and mentality go hand in hand. As soon as Araujo got a red card, Xavi immediately sacrificed his biggest offensive threat, Lamine Yamal. On the other hand, Flick kept his front three unchanged after Pau Cubarsi was sent off.
Flick responded instantly and did not panic. His switch was bold, too, sacrificing Olmo for Araujo. He reorganised the team into a disciplined 4-4-1, and every player on his team knew his role. Benfica pressed relentlessly and even broke past Barca’s lines a few times, but players did not lose focus and remained compact. And just the single, slightest mistake of Benfica was punished by Raphinha. Flick survived when the odds were not in his favour and reacted decisively. I believe this mindset is what Barcelona needs, especially at UCL, where fortune always favours the brave.
Winning Smart or Ugly: Winning is what Matters
For years, the Catalans have been obsessed with playing beautiful football. But Flick’s team has made culers realise a big truth. If Barca a to succeed in Europe, winning ugly can also be as important as winning with style. By no means was the win against Benfica beautiful or total football, but it was a brilliant win.
Barca absorbed pressure. Players like Pedri and de Jong put in shifts of running and showed the epitome of discipline, and ultimately, Raphinha took the one big chance when it arrived. Szczesny’s heroics in goals were the icing on top, and all of it showed a maturity that’s been missing in recent years.
The shift in mentality is evident in Flick’s side. The players have shown a knack for remaining calm in testing situations, and the win against Benfica speaks volumes about this.