Hansi Flick’s arrival at Barcelona could mark a new era at the club. It will be a significant shift from Barcelona’s old rugged possession-style football to a more modern and intense system. Here is How Flick’s Tactical System Will Evolve At Barcelona.
High-Intensity Pressing and Quick Transitions
📌Flick has implemented aggressive pressing in specific triggers which allows quick ball regain.
📌The front line including Raphinha and Yamal looks to press the goalie and back-line for a forced error to counter.
📌Barcelona’s buildup play will be more of a counterattack based on quick transitions rather than controlling possession.
📌Flick prefers quick transitions, moving the ball up front rapidly after regaining the possession.
📌Olmo and Pedri will be seen having more freedom up front.
Midfield Roles
📌Flick has evolved Barcelona’s traditional 4-3-3 style to a fluid 4-2-3-1, often used at Bayern.
📌Midfielders look to rotate positions in the middle, similar to what Thomas Müller did.
📌Pedri and Olmo have a more advanced role, helping the attackers press efficiently to regain the ball.
Wide Play AND Counter attacks
📌Flick prefers width play, as seen by Balde and Kounde has a more advanced job during offensive chances.
📌Yamal and Raphinha will get more support from wide, having more options to pass to.
📌Barcelona have evolved into a more dangerous team during counters.
📌Raphinha has been clinical in these situations.
📌The team focuses on winning the ball high and transitioning immediately instead of keeping possession for too long.
Defensive High-Line
📌While Xavi’s priority was positional play, Flick prefers a defensive line close to the half-way line.
📌This is used to catch the opponent’s runners offside.
📌Barcelona have evolved under Flick and Barcelona’s current defensive duo has mastered this.
Striker-Focused
📌Lewandowski who was a beast under Flick at Bayern needs to be back at his best.
📌Lewandsowki has to re-instil his poacher gameplay to finish off chances and be clinical.
Flick’s Tactical Evolution Till Now
Over the years, as football has modernized the tiki-taka and possession play became outdated. Despite these styles failing, managers like Koeman and Xavi always went with this approach having no success. Flick understood this and changed Barcelona’s style.
Flick evolved the Barcelona playing style, combining the club’s traditional possession-based approach with German efficiency and high pressing. The results till now are impeccable. He plays a balanced 4-2-3-1 system that maximizes both attack and defense, the attack has more freedom and the high line at defense makes things better. Barcelona’s pressing game has improved under Flick and players are adapted to make most of the opponent’s mistakes.