Flick’s Plans For Barça During the International Break

It’s clear that Hansi Flick is not satisfied with the official start of the season for his team. While 7 out of 9 points have been secured, it’s not been achieved in the manner he desired nor with the style that turned Barça into a champion team last season.

After a 3-0 victory in Mallorca, Flick criticized what he described as a certain complacency or relaxation in the second half after the home team was reduced to nine players. He didn’t revel in the victory and sought to curb any form of euphoria. For him, it’s crucial that no one on the squad considers themselves favorites or superior due to last season’s title win.

Last-minute Victory and Team Reflection

In the match against Levante, Barça clinched a victory in the dying moments, showing struggle. Here, Hansi applauded the team’s response after trailing 2-0, highlighting the grit, character, and aggressive play reminiscent of their first season under his leadership. In Vallecas, the Heidelberg coach not only uttered the memorable line “egos kill success,” but also suggested a time for reflection owing to the upcoming international team commitments and a break from Barça’s schedule.

A Call for Reflection During the Break

It wasn’t a dressing down, nor did Flick raise his voice as that’s not his modus operandi. Instead, he encouraged the team to reflect and question whether their attitude and intensity match those of last season. These are days of introspection, even for the coach himself.

Challenging the High Defensive Line

In Vallecas, as analyzed in SPORT, Iñigo executed a strategy to exploit Barça’s high defensive line effectively. He created three or four clear goal-scoring opportunities, largely due to maneuvers focusing on Isi Palazón. Despite the Blaugrana’s struggles and inaccuracies, particularly in the second half, the young coach presented an intelligent game plan. He successfully breached Barça’s advanced line multiple times, utilizing flank play and positioning Isi advantageously for potential strikes.

Reinventing the Line

The skillful Vallecano attacker hovered in an offside position, knowing he wasn’t the intended recipient of the initial pass. Instead, a winger penetrated from behind, avoiding the offside trap, before finding Isi, who then had ample space to attempt a shot. Joan Garcia was the only barrier preventing Palazón from scoring one or two goals.

Challenges Ahead for Flick and Barça

Flick is, of course, reflecting on these tactical challenges. He’s aware that opponents meticulously study Barça’s proposal with the high defensive line and pressing strategy. Even when executed perfectly, vulnerabilities can still be exposed. Beyond tactics, Flick has other issues to address, such as the adaptation of Rashford. It’s been a challenging transition with significant changes. Work needs to be done to ensure his comfort and integration into the team’s style, as he appeared quite disoriented at Vallecas.

Recovering Key Players’ Form

The focus also lies on regaining Koundé’s top form, as he’s yet to reach his 100% or replicate last season’s brilliance. It’s crucial for Fermín to be centered, free from rumors, and continue to deliver the impact he had months ago. High pressing, intensity, and achieving the squad’s peak physicality are vital. Verticality, natural automatisms, and especially that emotional component are what he instills in the group.