In recent games, it was clear to see that FC Barcelona had been struggling in terms of getting the results they wanted. Against both Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo in their last two outings, La Blaugrana did not seem like themselves. Fortunately for Hansi Flick, however, Barcelona have now managed to find victory again.
Against French side Brest in the UEFA Champions League, Barça put on a great showing as they dismantled their opponents with a scoreline of 3-0 at the Montjuic Stadium. With this victory, Barcelona have now settled quite nicely in the top eight of the first phase of the UEFA Champions League.
However, it is also important to understand how exactly Flick managed to help his team overcome their recent problems and finally deliver a win without Lamine Yamal this season. This time around, as highlighted by SPORT, Hansi Flick needed to make use of his ‘magic square’.
This particular approach saw the German coach line up for this game with Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Marc Casado as the central figures of his team’s structure. On the surface level, Pedri and Casado played deeper roles, while Dani Olmo played a more offensive role through the central channels and Lopez offered him support out wide.
However, beyond what it looks like on paper, this particular formation and system was much more complex. Focusing on dynamism and constant movement, these players relentlessly shifted positions with one another that left the opponents completely bamboozled half the time.
Each player was used in a way that made their strengths stand out and allowed them to showcase their talents in an efficient way. Dani Olmo, for instance, was allowed to roam around freely in the central spaces that opened up and even drifted out wide when he needed to. Ultimately, it led to some promising actions and even a great solo goal for him.
Lopez, on the other hand, was allowed the freedom to attack the opposition box and make darting runs from the central zones as well. This allowed him to come into some really positive positions that he was ultimately unable to take advantage of despite the fact that some great chances came his way.
More Stories / Latest News
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 26: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal from a penalty during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 01: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between FC Barcelona and BSC Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 01, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 06: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 06, 2024 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Pedri and Marc Casado, however, took advantage of their deeper roles and helped the team in maintaining control of proceedings. The Spanish duo combined their creativity and tenacity in a way that constantly fed their forwards with good passes while simultaneously keeping the forwards from Brest at bay.
Unfortunately, however, Casado will not be available for the next game against Las Palmas in La Liga. To deal with that loss due to suspension, Hansi Flick will need to think of something that helps Barcelona in that particular clash.