FC Barcelona has starred in a sequence of matches that could be considered the most exciting, unpredictable and dramatic in the history of club football, condensed into just 15 days.
For the delight of the fans, coach Hansi Flick seeks a change. But before judging him, it is crucial to understand his motivations.
Between April 26 and May 11, the team offered an unforgettable spectacle that included a Copa del Rey final, a Champions League semi-final over two legs, two decisive extra times and a total of 25 spectacular goals. The setting was diverse, with matches in Seville, Barcelona and Milan, attracting millions of spectators worldwide. Added to this was the talent of Lamine Yamal, and the conquest of two important titles.
For football fans, this period was an antidote to robotic play and conservative tactics. Even iconic figures like Thierry Henry have expressed their boredom with modern football.
My father would be proud of this team.
Jordi Cruyff
However, Flick seeks to modify this style. On Sunday, the coach reiterated his dissatisfaction with Barcelona’s game, which has made it irresistible to viewers.
Only you can decide if we are the most entertaining team in Europe. For me… it’s not always fun. Sometimes I have suffered a lot.
Hansi Flick
Flick emphasized that the project, initiated last summer, has not yet concluded. He acknowledges the need to improve the defense and defensive stability in general, not only in the back four. The lack of training time due to the tight schedule has made these improvements difficult.
His main criticism since August has been the team’s tendency to attack without control in the final minutes, instead of managing the advantage. Flick wants his players to think more strategically.
In the image: Of the four major titles available, the only one that seems to escape Barcelona is the Champions League.
Since November, after defeats and draws, Flick has emphasized the need for greater attention in specific situations and to defend advantages better.
Another aspect Flick wants to change, although the fans hope he won’t, is Barcelona’s ability to come back in matches. This season, the team has managed to come back from adverse scores on six occasions.
Flick seeks to reduce the stress and the risk of constantly having to overcome two-goal deficits.
At the end of the season, Barcelona could have lost only one title out of the four available after Flick’s arrival: the Champions League.
A key detail in the elimination in Milan was when Yamal chose to shoot instead of securing possession. The young player’s shot hit the post, and in the next play, Inter tied the game, taking the match to extra time and the subsequent defeat. If Yamal had kept the ball, Barcelona could have played in the Champions League final.
Flick wants to improve the team’s mentality, intensity, and solidity.
Therefore, Barcelona’s priority in the transfer market is to sign a high-quality central defender.
The team has been interested in Jonathan Tah, who could arrive for free. However, with Xabi Alonso about to manage Real Madrid, Tah could join that team.
Flick, like any great leader, is already planning the next season, seeking to transform one of the most entertaining teams into a more solid and less prone to excitement version, with the aim of neutralizing their opponents.
