Hansi Flick since his signing as Barcelona’s manager has transformed the club into a lethal attacking threat. The secret behind this successful transformation lies behind the 4-2-3-1 formation.
The offside masters at the back
Hansi Flick plays a very high-line with his defenders near the halfway line. This requires them to act as a passing option for the midfield and attack, enabling Barca to retain most of the possession in that game. A high-line has the risk of getting caught off guard by a counterattack, but Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi are extremely intelligent centre-backs and often catch attackers in an offside trap. This requires perfection of timing and communication as it is a very risky tactic, but the youngster and the veteran have mastered the art of offside trap.
How the fullbacks defend
Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde track back just in time to defend counterattacks but with a twist. Hansi Flick has instructed the fullbacks to stay closer to the centre-backs when defending. This does provide the opposition with a lot space on the flanks to attack. However, it helps Barca cover the spaces in the middle where opposition possession is the most dangerous. From there on the full-backs only approach the wingers when most of the team has tracked back. It is all about trust in your teammates and confidence in the plan which this Barca side has mastered. Both the fullbacks are also a great attacking threat as Balde transforms into a winger when Barca has the possession and Kounde combines with Lamine Yamal on the right to make life hell for defenders.
A double Pivot, or is it?
Hansi Flick’s midfield has a double Pivot of Pedri and Marc Casado/Frenkie de Jong. However, unlike the traditional pivot, they position themselves vertically relative to each other. With Casado/Frenkie closer to the defensive line and Pedri in a free-roaming role, he drops and combines with the CDM but also ventures higher up the pitch to create for the attack. Pedri has been the heart of this Barca side as he puts out masterclass after masterclass, proving why he is the best midfielder in the world.
Numerical advantage in attack
When attacking, Barca has at least 4 players around the box to create a numerical advantage against the usual 4 defenders of the opposition. This allows each attacker to be in a 1v1 position when he has possession. In the attack, Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez play as an attacking midfielder with constant runs into the box to score goals. Raphinha plays as an inside forward to attack the space left of Lewandowski. A through ball over the defense for Raphinha to run away with and score a goal has been a big part of Barca’s attack this season.
Lamine Yamal doesn’t just act as an elite winger but also drops deep to turn Barca’s defense into attack by getting away from defenders and switching play to find Raphinha’s run. The Starboy cuts inside on the wing to either take a shot for himself or slide in an unpredictable assist for someone in the box. Robert Lewandowski is having his best season for Barca since his signing with 34 goals in 37 matches. Hansi Flick has revived his career as Lewangoalski has returned.
In conclusion, this is the best version of Barcelona since the departure of Leo Messi and Hansi Flick’s side has the potential to win a continental treble this season.