Hansi Flick’s journey as a manager from Bayern to Barcelona showcases a vital evolution in his playing style, reflecting his adaptability and tactical ideas. Here is an overview of how Flick evolved his style from Bayern to Barcelona.
High-Intensity Pressing and Quick Transitions
📌Flick’s Bayern was known for its aggressive pressing, used to win the ball back quickly.
📌Pressing is used to suffocate the opposition, leaving them with small spaces. This disrupts their build-up, so Flick’s side can quickly attack.
📌Bayern’s attack was straight-forward, they used quick transitions to make use of the opposition’s disorganised structure.
📌Flick has implemented this with Barcelona and has been quite successful.
Compact Defensive Shape and High Line
📌Flick used the approach of a compact defensive line to limit space for opposition play-makers, protect the middle of space and allow quick transitions up front.
📌High-line was used to play the opposition players offside. Players like Davies and Pavard were quick to stay near the halfway line to play the opposition offside.
📌Flick has also implemented this at Barcelona, this provides a proper defensive structure with more stability.
Barcelona’s Positional Play
📌Flick has adapted to Barcelona’s positional play philosophy and his style at Barca is a blend of Bayern’s approach and Barcelona’s philosophy.
📌Players are instructed to maintain their position and formation which allows fluid ball circulation to create spaces from inwards runs.
📌Flick has injected the quick transition play in Barcelona which was never seen before. Now players also rely on quick transitions and counter-attacks.
The High Press at Barcelona
📌Flick still uses the pressing system, but at Barcelona, he uses a modified and effective approach.
📌Flick uses the pressing with specific triggers. The players press in phases, focusing on cutting passing lanes rather than going all out aggressively. This saves a lot of stamina.
Use of Attacking Full-Backs at Barcelona
📌Flick has asked Balde y Kounde to take on attacking responsibilities.
📌Their overlapping runs provide support for the wingers and provide width on the field, helping to stretch the opposition’s defence.
📌This helps in creating extra spaces with more passing lanes and opportunities for more crosses.
Mentality and Cohesion
📌One of Flick’s biggest influences at Barcelona has been the team’s winning mentality.
📌His emphasis on mental toughness has made the team make impressive comebacks in crucial games.
📌He has injected proper ruthlessness into the squad.
📌The team looks more like a family, with everyone having a positive relationship.
Conclusión
Flick’s transition from Bayern to Barcelona shows his adaptability and ability to evolve. He can adapt to completely 2 different football cultures and be successful with both.
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