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Over the years, FC Barcelona has mostly had Dutch or Spanish coaches implementing a strict positional and possession-based system. However, with the appointment of German tactician Hansi Flick, Barca has adopted a more vertical and high-pressing style of football.

In his first season, Flick has already won the Supercopa de Espana and Copa del Rey. Barca is leading the race to win the La Liga with four matches to go and also reached the Champions League semifinals, where it was knocked out by Inter by a 6-7 aggregate score.

Formation and Structure

On paper, it looks like Flick uses the traditional 4-3-3 shape that the club has used over the years. But a closer look reveals that Flick transitions his 4-3-3 into a 4-2-3-1 with Wojciech Szczesny in goal; Alejandro Balde (Hector Fort), Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde forming the backline; Frankie de Jong, Pedri Gonzalez, or Pablo Gavi forming the midfield two; Lamine Yamal and Raphinha as the right and left-wingers; Dani Olmo playing as an attacking midfielder (No.10 role), and Robert Lewandowski as the lone striker.

With this formation and player profile, Flick gives freedom to his players, allowing them to rotate positions, which makes it harder for their opponents to read the game. This has led to Barcelona scoring a staggering 163 goals in all tournaments, which is the most in Europe.

Under its previous coach, Xavi Hernandez, the players followed a rigid positional pattern of play, which worked initially, but over time, the opponents adapted to his style of play.

Possession and Verticality

While maintaining Barcelona’s hallmark possession game, Flick has adopted a more vertical approach. Barcelona has averaged the highest ball possession of 68.1 per cent in La Liga. The German maintains a horizontally compact and vertically expansive structure, with Kounde and Yamal holding the width on the right and Balde (Fort) hugging the left flank.

Barcelona’s verticality helps it break defences, usually with just one line-breaking pass from the centre-back to the forward. This is seen multiple times when Pau Cubarsi finds Lewandowski and Raphinha up front with defence-splitting passes.

Barcelona has averaged the highest ball possession of 68.1 per cent in La Liga.

It is also seen at times when Lewandowski drops deep to receive a pass from one of the defenders and then plays a pass to either of the wingers, setting them through on goal.

This was seen in the Super Copa final against Real Madrid in Barcelona’s first goal when Lewandowski played a first-time pass to Yamal from midfield, allowing the 17-year-old to break through Madrid’s defensive lines and find the net.

Midfield Dynamics

Flick has found a great way to complement his double pivot in midfield, with Pedri and de Jong forming an effective partnership.

De Jong, often criticised for his defensive contributions, has improved on that front with 45 ball recoveries this season despite missing the first half of the campaign. Along with the control in midfield, his ability to drive upfield with the ball from defence allow Pedri to roam freely and join the attacking build-up.

Barca also enjoys midfield dominance with one of Barca’s ball-playing centre-backs stepping into midfield, giving the team numerical superiority and allowing it to push forward.

Defensive Strategy: High Line and Coordinated Pressing

Flick has adopted the German style of Gegenpressing (counter-pressing), where the players try to press and win the ball as soon as they lose it.

This gives the opponents less time on the ball, isolating them and forcing turnovers. Winning the ball early in the opponent’s half unsettles their backline and leaves their midfield out of position, giving Barca higher chances to score.

Barcelona’s offside trap, by keeping a high defensive line, has also been a talking point this season. This season, it has managed to catch its opponents offside more than 120 times in La Liga, which is again the most in the league.

Barcelona’s offside trap by keeping a high defensive line has also been a talking point this season.

Firstly, it is physically very demanding and requires players to be at their 100 per cent. It also requires the backline to be on the same wavelength. Tactically, this leaves huge gaps behind, which can be exploited by speedy players in counter-attacks.

Despite this risky approach, compared to last season, Barcelona has managed to concede fewer goals this season. Its xGA (Expected Goals Against) has gone down to 35.5% from the previous season’s 42%.

Squad Rotation and Youth Integration

With tight finances and the underlying debt Barcelona is plagued with, the Catalan club was only able to sign two players in Pau Victor and Olmo, who were brought in for 50 million euros. However, Flick has looked to La Masia, Barca’s academy, and trusted the youngsters to deliver.

Given Barcelona’s attacking-based footballing approach and the lengthy football calendar, Flick has had to deal with his fair share of injury issues.

Raphinha of FC Barcelona (R) has been the team’s talisman this season with the most goal contributions.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

Despite that, Flick has alternated his players quite well. He has put his faith in the young talents and given gametime to players like Cubarsi, Marc Casado, Inaki Pena, Fort, Pablo Torre and Fermin Lopez. Gerard Martin, Marc Bernal, and Sergi Dominguez were the other La Masia graduates who made their debuts under Flick this season.

Man Management and Mentality

Apart from the silverware, one of Flick’s major achievements has been keeping the dressing room happy. He has revitalised players like Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, De Jong and Ferran Torres getting them back in form.

Raphinha publicly acknowledged Flick’s influence on him, stating the German “changed my life”. Now, Raphinha is challenging for the Ballon D’or against the likes of Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembele.

Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick celebrates with Barcelona’s Raphinha at the end of the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta de Vigo at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 19, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
AP