Recently, we asked if Pedri could be more impactful for Barcelona if he moved back into an attacking role.
There are benefits and drawbacks either way you go, and either way you go, it will have an effect on Hansi Flick’s formation and player selection.
Barcelona will continue to be compared to the Spanish national team, whether we like it or not. The success of both teams, in recent years, in large part comes down to the impact that Pedri and Lamine Yamal have been able to make.
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
In addition to the superstars, La Roja is inundated with Barcelona talent from front to back.
Flick and Luis de la Fuente have been handed a lot of the same parts, and yet, they are building different machines. Still, no doubt, each manager is paying attention to the tactics of the other.
When it comes to Barcelona football, and the Spanish national team who has played in their image for over a decade, the midfield formula is, perhaps, the most important variable.
Pedri is the most important midfielder on both teams, yet he is used differently.
When speaking of Pedri, Luis de la Fuente said, “Pedri has a special talent, as a number 8 or as a number 10. I would like him to play closer to the opposition box as goals are scored nearer to the box. Key passes are made there too. He contributes a lot for us there, because he can make those final passes, completes patterns of play, and is improving a lot with his shooting.”
It’s hard to not see this as a rebuttal to Hansi Flick.
But there is one key difference between the two teams. Spain has the option of using Martín Zubimendi, as they did in the last Nations League window, or Rodri, as they did last summer in the Euros.
De la Fuente can choose to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 from game to game as he pleases, because he has so much player versatility in the midfield. Since Sergio Busquets departed, Barcelona does not, and continues to not know exactly where it’s headed in terms of a solution in the holding midfield.
Marc Bernal made an impression on Flick a year ago, and surprised everyone when he was chosen as Barcelona’s first choice in the manager’s preferred double pivot system. Coming off an ACL surgery, and with very little professional experience under his belt, it’s too early to make a prediction on Bernal’s future.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Marc Casadó is another one who is on the fence. It wouldn’t surprise you to see him breakout, with his strong physical character, and technical qualities, but you also aren’t going to bet the farm on him at this point.
Flick is an interesting manager who isn’t afraid to give academy talents big opportunities. But we also saw, as the season went along, that he relied on the veterans when it was go-time.
For that reason, the safe bet is on Frenkie de Jong, or maybe even Eric Garcia, both of whom the manager trusts because of their experience and high football intelligence.
It’s hard to imagine Flick changing to a 4-3-3, without bringing in a new pivot, which doesn’t look to be in the cards.
Most likely, he’ll put Pedri back into the holding midfield where he can orchestrate the build up.
From there, betting odds are on Dani Olmo returning to the ten as a pseudo second striker, as opposed to using a natural playmaker.
So what would that mean for Gavi and Fermín López? They seem like the odd men out who will struggle to break in if Flick continues on with the same system. For sure, they would be there to provide depth off the bench, but is there a scenario where either stake a claim for first choice starting eleven?
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
In asking these questions, one wonders if there may be surprise arrivals or departures this summer.
Flick isn’t likely to make big changes after achieving so much success with the players who delivered for him.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t be persuaded to change if new information, ideas, or opportunities present themselves.
The midfield is Barcelona’s bread and butter.
Success depends on getting it right.