Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have been peerless domestically in the last couple of seasons, winning everything possible except the Copa del Rey in the 2025/26 season.
The German manager has come in and immediately made Barça the strongest team in Spain, and the two league titles are a testament to that.
Now, as he looks to take the project to the next stage of its evolution, Flick is said to be shaping his summer plans around one clear idea: this team must press harder, run more and compete with greater aggression against Europe’s elite.
According to SPORT,, Flick and his coaching staff believe Barça already have enough football quality to dominate in Spain.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona manager
Flick has a vision. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
The concern is different. To compete properly in the Champions League, they feel the squad needs more physical power, more depth and a higher level of intensity without the ball.
That is a very important distinction. Barcelona do not need to abandon their identity. They do not need to become a reactive team or stop valuing possession.
Technically, there have been no question marks about this Barça team. Flick wants them to take that one step forward to match the best teams in Europe physically as well.
Gordon fits the new direction
This helps explain the signing of Anthony Gordon. The English winger is not only a player for one-on-one situations or attacking depth.
He brings energy, pressing and direct running, which are exactly the qualities Flick wants to add to the wide areas. Off the ball, he is one of the best attackers in Europe.
In Europe, that matters. Barça have often had enough talent to control long stretches of matches, but the difference at the highest level is usually decided in a matter of seconds.
Julian Alvarez being a priority also fits that same logic. He is not just a centre-forward because of his goals.
Julian Alvarez, Argentina star
A priority target. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
He presses, harasses defenders, attacks space and gives the team a first defensive line with real bite.
For Flick, the forward line cannot be passive. If the first press is weak, the midfield gets stretched, the defence has to defend bigger spaces, and the whole structure starts to suffer.
Barça need beauty with bite
This is the balance Barcelona must find. The club’s DNA is still about the ball, positional play and technical superiority.
However, modern football is moving on. Flick seems to understand that Barça’s next step is not more talent for the sake of talent.
A Barça team that plays well but also presses like it is angry can become very difficult to face. The best versions of this club have never been soft.
Gordon is one piece, Alvarez could be another, and every signing should be a stylistic fit who can contribute to the system without a drop-off.
Flick does not want a team that only dominates with the ball. He wants a team that will never stop pressing. It remains to be seen whether the Barcelona team live up to these expectations next season.