Barcelona is in its transition phase. The club is striving to reclaim its dominance in European football after a period of decline. Barcelona have appointed Flick as their manager, who had a quite successful tenure at his previous club, Bayern Munich. Flick took over a struggling Bayern side and, within two years, led them to a historic sextuple. Here’s what Barcelona can learn from Flick’s Bayern Munich to reclaim its dominance.
Building a Cohesive Unit
Flick’s Bayern was more than just a star-studded squad, it was a cohesive unit that lived like a family on and off the field. The team’s collection and understanding off the field translated on the field with an understanding of each other’s movements were key to success. The team’s strong sports spirit ensured the team stayed a single unit.
Barcelona’s recent struggles have been due to a lack of cohesiveness and identity. Barcelona should focus on building a unified squad that fights for each other on the pitch. Flick has already started building these relations and says that Barcelona is like a family/
High-Intensity Pressing and Quick Transitions
Flick transformed Bayern into a machine built on high-intensity pressing and quick transitions. The main aspect of Flick’s high-pressing game was winning the ball back within seconds of losing it. The aim is that the team initiates the press in a coordinated manner. The players applied pressure in groups to cut off passing lanes and win the ball. The forwards and midfielders played a crucial role in this, while the defensive line compresses the space so no passes can go through.
When the team won the ball high on the pitch, Bayern looked for an immediate attack with precise passing sequences. This was helpful to exploit the opponent’s disorganized shape after losing possession. Players are instructed to move the ball forward as soon as they win possession, the ball is sent in a more vertical way than using the width off the pitch or passing it behind and going for a long ball. Players like Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, and Serge Gnabry mastered this tactic and helped the team score much more.
While Barcelona still rely on the old tiki-taka passing tactic, they have started adapting the quick transition and high pressing under Flick, which is going pretty well. This tactic is quite demanding in modern-time football.
Flexibility in Formation
One of Bayern’s strongest points was flexibility in formation changes with changing game scenarios. Flick often deployed the 4-2-3-1 at Bayern, but he was never scared to change it with the flow of the game.
Barcelona have usually played with the 4-3-3 formations being always static, they have shown changes under Flick. When they have the ball they have a different formation, when they are chasing the formation is different.
Empowering Key Players
When Flick was appointed at Bayern, there were many players who struggled with form. He empowered key players like Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, and Alphonso Davies, giving them more of a defined role which was related to their strengths.
Flick has already shown this in Barcelona getting the best out of players like Raphinha, Yamal, Pedri, Cubarsi, and many more.
Blend of Youth with Experience
Flick had the perfect balance of youth and experience at Bayern, while he relied on legends like Manuel Neuer and Lewandowski, he also gave a break to young players like Davies and Musiala.
Flick has already started leveraging Barcelona’s La Masia academy talents with players like Lewandowski and Stegen.
Winning Mentality
Bayern had a sense of ruthlessness against their opponents and wanted to play every game as if it was a final. They played with relentless intensity and had a hunger to win games.
Barcelona never had this mentality and never fought back well, they have already shown signs of a different mentality under Flick. We have seen a new Barcelona side against Benfica and Atletico, where the Catalans fought back.
Conclusion
Flick’s Bayern is a road map for Barcelona as they are in the rebuilding phase. As Barcelona have appointed Flick, the adaption of Bayern’s success won’t be harder. Barcelona should translate these key elements into their squad to see a change. Flick is the perfect guy to do so.