Hansi Flick and Zinedine Zidane are two great Champions League football coaching names. Whether it’s Zidane’s three-peat or Flick’s six trophies in a single season, both define UCL royalty. However, for us Barca fans, both successes feel different. One is from a relentless rival, while the other is from an architect of humiliation. Let’s compare the two UCL greats.
A Comparison of Styles: Zidane’s Magic Vs Flick’s Relentlessness
Hansi Flick’s Bayern was an absolute powerhouse in the UCL. It used to suffocate presses and establish devastating attacks. It was a system of utter dominance, and defeat felt inevitable against this scheme of play. Zidane’s Real Madrid, on the other hand, was a lot more chaotic. The Frenchman’s team was a team of veteran stars who always provided results. Ramos’ last-minute header, Bale and Cristiano’s bicycle kicks: players knew how to survive in every UCL round.
Flick’s system feels more admirable for Barca fans who have always followed Cruyff’s ideals. This is because Flick’s way relies more on teamwork and collective effort, while Zidane’s magic depends more on generational stars who always deliver at clutch moments.
This is Why Flick’s UCL brilliance is Truly Coach-Centric
A comparative analysis of Flick and Zidane makes us realize a crucial point. Flick’s UCL brilliance is very coach-centric, i.e., his team’s success primarily depends on coaching tactics and management. Zidane’s three-peat legacy, on the contrary, depended more on stars than on tactics.
Let’s analyze Flick’s sextuple-winning team. That Bayern team turned talents like Gnabry, Coman, and even Coutinho into machines. That Bayern team did not need a GOAT and was not primarily dependent on a team of Galacticos. It had stars, but those stars had to work for their spots. Just like Flick’s Barca, even the starters can be dropped if they lack discipline.
Hansi Flick’s 2020 UCL win V/S Zidane’s Three Peat: Which was Harder?
Zidane’s Real Madrid had the UCL in its DNA. The three-peat tale is a story of comebacks, refereeing controversy, and stoppage time theatrics. It’s a story of magic, individual brilliance, and true UCL royalty. But Flick’s 2020 triumph came in the COVID-19 era. The stadiums were empty, the SOP restrictions and lack of enough training due to isolation issues.
The three UCLs in a row may look harder to most people, but my opinion is different, and let me justify it to you. Real Madrid’s wins felt programmed (Thanks, UEFA). Lots of controversial decisions went in their favor, and it felt like a way was paved for that team. Hansi Flick’s Bayern went from zero to hero in just one season, and in extreme COVID conditions, they gave performances like the historic 8-2. Therefore, for me, Flick’s 2020 triumph is harder.
From culers point of view, both UCL legend coaches deserve tremendous respect. Zidane’s Madrid is a rival we grudgingly respect. And Flick’s Bayern was a monster we never saw coming. Overall, both coaches have etched their names as UCL greats and will be remembered forever.