How Hansi Flick, Barcelona turned issues round in 100 days

Barcelona‘s first preseason pleasant this summer season led to a penalty shootout win over Manchester City, however new coach Hansi Flick was not proud of how his facet ended the sport in opposition to the Premier League champions on the Tenting World Stadium in Orlando.

“He was indignant as a result of we solely pressed till the seventieth minute,” Barça president Joan Laporta revealed final week. “I like how demanding he’s.”

Sources inform ESPN that Laporta is “smitten” with Flick, a coach he has admired for a very long time and had even beforehand tried to rent in 2021, when he first thought of firing Ronald Koeman. Flick, supervisor of Bayern Munich on the time, had simply accepted the German nationwide workforce job, although, and respectfully turned down Laporta’s advance as a result of timing. The celebs lastly aligned earlier this 12 months when Laporta determined to sack Xavi Hernández, with the out-of-work Flick appointed as his successor on the finish of Might.

In simply over 100 days in cost, Flick has already made his mark on a younger Barça workforce that has begun the season impressively, profitable 4 of 4 video games to steer LaLiga at this early stage of the marketing campaign. Whereas the workforce’s common statistics — issues like possession, variety of passes and ball recoveries — will not be too dissimilar to final season and the pattern dimension is small, however look a bit of deeper and you’ll already see evolution. Barça are taking part in a better defensive position, urgent higher, entering into the ultimate third faster and lasting 90 minutes.

Off the pitch, Flick has to date efficiently navigated the exterior noise that usually brings coaches down at Barça. He has accepted the membership’s awkward monetary scenario, refused to complain when the membership couldn’t register new signing Dani Olmo early, and has mentioned all the fitting issues about La Masia, the membership’s youth academy. On the latter, it helps that he is backed up such phrases with actions by beginning three 17-year-olds within the opening three video games of the season.

At 59 and after a lifetime within the recreation, sources near Flick say his toes stay firmly on the bottom. He is aware of the balloon may pop at any second and the honeymoon interval in Catalonia can rapidly finish, however for now, a summer season of change and the introduction of exterior enter is blooming hope for a Barça facet some had written off earlier than the beginning of the marketing campaign.

With further reporting from Jordi Blanco

“No nonsense”

If Flick did not know the way intense the Barça sizzling seat might be, he quickly realised when he arrived to signal his contract in Might. Journalists and paparazzi camped outdoors his resort and a recreation of cat and mouse adopted, as native media battled with the membership to publish the primary official pictures of the German within the Catalan metropolis.

By that stage, sources say Flick had already determined that he would try to preserve as low a profile as potential — if that’s even potential as Barça coach — and to black out the hubbub that surrounds the membership. That’s one thing, sources add, his predecessor Xavi couldn’t do. As a former participant and Barça supporter, a part of Xavi’s downfall was that he was so conscious of every part being mentioned and the place each leak was coming from, which created a pressure that was unhelpful for the day-to-day working surroundings.

With out these distractions, Flick has been in a position to absolutely give attention to the job. Sources say he retains his circle throughout the membership strictly to these whom he works with. He’s pleasant with different workers members and administrators, however usually applies a “no-nonsense method,” concentrating on profitable matches slightly than admirers. Flick even delayed his presentation to the media till the center of July, giving him extra time to organize and familiarise himself with the membership.

When he was lastly offered, Flick spoke in English. His common Spanish classes are already paying off, with sources saying his comprehension is already good, although the recommendation from some contained in the membership is to keep up the connection with the media in English for now, because it affords him extra energy within the exchanges and prevents issues being misunderstood or misconstrued.

By way of Flick’s communication expertise with the squad, there are a number of English audio system within the Barça dressing room now — and a few German audio system — however in preseason Thiago Alcantara, who retired as a participant earlier this 12 months, helped with translation. Thiago‘s short-term deal as a coach ended final month as a result of he wants time to type out some private points — primarily, he must finalize his return to Spain from the UK, the place he’d been with Liverpool, and the place his children are nonetheless attending college — however sources say Flick hopes he’ll return. Within the meantime, goalkeeper coach Ramon de la Fuente, who has been on the membership for over a decade, is performing the same perform.

Sources near the dressing room say the messaging from Flick to the gamers has been “direct and concise.” Punctuality is considered one of his bedrock beliefs, however he has not ushered in lots of guidelines past that. There isn’t any system of fines or punishments in place — that has been left to the gamers to self-police — and the squad have breakfast and lunch on the coaching floor on a typical day. The pregame “catwalk” on the Olympic Stadium — gamers arriving in no matter garments they need — has been scrapped in favour of official membership put on, whereas in a single day resort stays pre-game have additionally been re-introduced for now to reinforce workforce unity.

Fitter and stronger

In line with sources, considered one of Flick’s main strengths to date is his potential to delegate. He introduced with him Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic and Heiko Westermann to function his assistant coaches, however he has additionally been joyful to lean on the brand new health division that was put collectively by sporting director Deco over the summer season. Julio Tous, who beforehand labored with Antonio Conte at Juventus, Italy, Chelsea, Inter and Tottenham, is the brand new head health coach.

Health and stamina was an space Laporta mentioned should be improved this season, blaming the best way workforce fell away within the latter phases of matches for final 12 months’s trophy-less marketing campaign. Within the 5 LaLiga video games they misplaced — two in opposition to Real Madrid, two in opposition to Girona and one in opposition to Villarreal — they conceded 12 objectives after the hour mark, and led 4 of these 5 video games a minimum of as soon as. But they light within the second half, conceding within the sixty fifth, 67th, seventy fifth, eightieth and ninety fifth minutes throughout the 2 Girona matches; the 68th, 73rd, 91st and 92nd minutes in opposition to Madrid; and the 84th, 99th and 102nd in opposition to Villarreal.

“I see plenty of depth in coaching,” Laporta mentioned final week. “Once I spoke with Julio, he informed me they’re utilizing totally different strategies now. The workouts in coaching are actually dynamic, [there is] plenty of power work. Now we have a coach that wishes to press till the ninetieth minute and the health workers are proud of the outcomes they’re attaining.”

Laporta’s feedback have been echoed by the gamers, with Pedri praising Flick’s impression this week. “We work a lot tougher than earlier than,” the midfielder said. “The brand new health coaches are actually good for us. We work onerous and also you discover it within the video games. The workforce would not dip after the seventieth or eightieth minute, it maintains the identical health ranges.

“Flick helps us younger gamers rather a lot. He is at all times on prime of what we’d like and also you respect that. When issues need to be taken severely, although, he does. He does have that factor of [being a] sergeant about him, however he is pretty much as good as gold when he speaks with the gamers. He is actually near the gamers; somebody who likes to speak with us. Aside from being critical, he additionally enjoys a joke, he is not at all times as critical as he seems.”

The early indicators are promising. The season is barely 4 video games previous and more durable challenges lie forward, beginning with Girona on Sunday after which Monaco within the Champions League subsequent week, however Barça seem extra sturdy. They haven’t conceded a second half purpose but, coming from behind to win two of their 4 matches, and are usually ending video games because the stronger facet.

In distinction, final season they conceded a median of 0.63 objectives per league match within the second half of video games, with 0.24 of these objectives coming between the 76th and the ninetieth minute.

Enjoying type

It is also price noting that Barça have been enjoyable to look at by way of their 4 matches this season, notably of their 7-0 win in opposition to Real Valladolid earlier than the worldwide break. The hyperlink up between Pedri, Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha appears to be like promising. There was an actual “Barça really feel” to the efficiency, and there have been clear indicators of Flick’s work because the opening day of the marketing campaign.

The depth and urgent Laporta craves has been evident. For a begin, Barça are profitable the ball again a lot larger up the pitch. Of their ball recoveries this season, 48.4% have been within the center third and 13.2% within the remaining third. Final time period, these percentages have been 45.3% and 9.6%. That equates to profitable possession within the remaining third 5.25 instances per 90 minutes in comparison with 4.5 instances final season, whereas 7.25 of Barça’s possessions now begin within the remaining third — that determine was 6.84 final 12 months.

As a consequence of this improved press, Barça’s common beginning place with the ball is now larger up the pitch, which suggests they’re starting assaults a lot nearer to the purpose. And as soon as they’ve the ball, they’re faster to get ahead. Flick’s Barça common fewer touches per 90 minutes than final season’s Barça (748.50 vs. 794.89), however play a better share of passes ahead (29.4% vs. 28%) and create extra possibilities per 90 minutes (14.5 vs. 12.0), though these numbers are barely skewed by the rout in opposition to Valladolid.

Fewer possessions per 90 minutes (77.75 vs 84.66) are additionally being transformed into extra remaining third arrivals (41.50 v 40.55). That’s because of a rise in progressive passes — ahead passes that advance a workforce considerably nearer to the opponent’s purpose, usually by way of the opponent’s ahead/midfield traces — with Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí‘s potential to play out from the again serving to particularly in that regard. Pedri, in a barely deeper midfield function behind Olmo, can also be one of many workforce’s leaders in progressive passes.

All collectively, it paints the image of a Barça facet that’s fitter, presses higher and, with out dropping their DNA, are faster to get into scoring positions. The creativity supplied by Pedri, Olmo, Yamal and Raphinha means Robert Lewandowski, who performed for Flick at Bayern, can keep nearer to the field. Of the veteran Polish striker’s touches this season, nearly 17% have come inside the realm in comparison with 11% final season. One other 26% are simply outdoors the field in central areas, in comparison with 19% final 12 months, and he is not straying into large areas as a lot. That is equated to 4 objectives in 4 video games from an xG of 4.35.

These numbers are additionally helped by a extra dynamic provide line. Yamal is one other 12 months older at 17 and brimming with confidence after serving to Spain win Euro 2024. He leads the league in take ons (15/37 accomplished), progressive passes acquired (55) and has contributed one purpose and 4 assists. Olmo, whatever the debate round signing and the next departure of Ilkay Gündogan, gives extra vitality than the Manchester Metropolis midfielder. He has scored two objectives in two appearances already. Raphinha scored a primary ever profession hat-trick final day trip and doesn’t cease operating and urgent.

“No excuses”

The response round LaLiga has been considered one of shock, with few anticipating Barça to begin in addition to they’ve. Reigning champions Actual Madrid are understandably nonetheless favourites to retain LaLiga after including Kylian Mbappé to a superstar-filled squad, however Barça’s kind gives hope of a real title race once more.

The early indicators below Flick are all of the extra spectacular given the cash issues that when once more engulfed the membership this summer season. Continued monetary woes meant registering new gamers was tough. Olmo, a €55 million arrival from RB Leipzig, was the one important addition to the squad, however he missed the primary two video games as a result of his league paperwork was not processed in time. Barça ultimately made sufficient area inside their spending cap to register him, because of Gündogan’s exit and a long-term injury to Andreas Christensen, however Flick has by no means as soon as lamented the scenario. Sources near the coach say he knew what he was coming into and won’t complain.

That mentioned, Flick could not have foreseen so many harm issues so quickly. Defender Ronald Araújo was injured on the Copa America, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi are long-term absentees and Christensen is now out as nicely. Pedri, Fermín López and Ansu Fati are among the many different gamers to have suffered knocks throughout his time in cost.

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Flick: Lewandowski is doing an ideal job for Barcelona

Hansi Flick says when Robert Lewandowski is match he is an ideal asset to the Barcelona workforce.

These absentees have meant a give attention to La Masia, one thing he has been greater than prepared to do, however even then there have been setbacks. Marc Bernal, together with Cubarsí and Yamal, was considered one of three 17-year-olds to begin the primary three video games of the season earlier than he ruptured his ACL. He had been unbelievable, drawing comparisons to Sergio Busquets. He will probably be out for a 12 months. Marc Casadó, Sergi Domínguez, Gerard Martín and Pau Víctor are different former B-team gamers or youth teamers to obtain first-team minutes to date this season.

“Flick instantly understood that La Masia is our treasure,” Laporta says. “He is aware of that the academy is the centre of our mission and I’m joyful he has been so fast to place children into the workforce. He has been courageous. He is a coach that does not make excuses.”

There’s nonetheless a way of warning, because it stays to be seen how far that may take Barça. Sources are eager to level out that is nonetheless a younger workforce that, based on a CIES report this week, is barely the fifteenth most expensively assembled squad on the planet at a price of €461m, together with potential add-ons, behind Aston Villa, Al-Hilal, Newcastle United and nearly all of Europe’s heavyweights.

But that may additionally include an upside. Flick has the prospect to mould a workforce in his picture. There even seems to be a level of widespread sense and persistence across the membership with Laporta, so typically demanding of silverware, showing to acknowledge that the method could also be extra essential than the gratification of instant trophies this season.

“From Flick, we demand that he works onerous, is skilled, intense and provides us the type of soccer we like,” the president mentioned when requested about expectations. “He’s laying the foundations to realize the aims we set ourselves, however we now have not set out [an objective] to win any particular trophy. What Flick desires is what we would like.”