Barcelona’s honeymoon period under Hansi Flick appears to be over, with the team now struggling for points in La Liga.
The Catalans have dropped points in each of the last three league matches, including a 2-1 loss to Las Palmas this weekend.
These recent set of results has highlighted key weaknesses in the Barcelona team, especially when it comes to re-integrating injured players back into the setup.
The Dilemma of Reintegration
As reported by Diario SPORT, Barcelona’s early-season success heavily relied on a consistent midfield trio of Marc Casado, Pedri, and Dani Olmo.
Their chemistry provided a solid foundation for Flick’s tactical vision. However, the return of injured players has disrupted this dynamic.
Against Las Palmas, for instance, Flick introduced two returning midfielders, but the adjustments backfired, leaving the team disjointed.
De Jong’s fitness has been a worry for Barcelona (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The conundrum lies in managing individual recovery needs versus maintaining the physical and tactical sharpness required by Flick’s high-energy system.
Gavi, Fermin and de Jong: Problems or solutions?
Fermín, who has endured a series of injuries, is the most match-ready of the returning players. However, his performances remain inconsistent. Flick has deployed him in various roles—midfielder, false left winger, and false right winger—creating further instability.
De Jong’s case is more troubling. His ongoing ankle discomfort has visibly affected his confidence, especially in physical duels.
While the Dutchman asserts he needs more minutes to regain rhythm, his cautious playstyle suggests underlying hesitation. This duality has made his reintegration particularly complex.
Finally, Gavi has been a curious case. Although Flick has been quite patient with the young midfielder’s fitness, the player must pick up his fitness fast and recover quickly.
Gavi’s creative exuberance and aggression, after all, could be an important part of the jigsaw for Flick, as he looks to guide Barcelona back into form.