Report: 7 new keys in Flick's style with Barcelona

Hans Flick has added a range of new ideas to his management style at FC Barcelona this season, after the German coach and sporting director Deco formed a balanced, competitive, and versatile squad that has exceeded expectations. These changes have reinforced the approach Flick previously adopted, with a greater reliance on rotation, competition, and the versatility of players.

One of the first changes involves a consistent reduction in the number of regular starters and an increase in competition, as there are no longer many players participating regularly. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal were the only two to have featured in all eight matches, with seven in LaLiga and one in the UEFA Champions League.

Flick's average changes range between three and five players per match, with the ability to play in multiple positions becoming an important factor in his choices, such as Eric Garcia, who transitioned from right-back to center-back, and Xavi Espart, who switched from right-back to left-back. Raphinha also stands out as he has become a solution to compensate for the absence of a central striker.

Flick is becoming more willing to make crucial decisions when he sees the need, as he admitted after the match against Sevilla, noting that some were difficult but necessary. This was evident in the change between Livaković and Szczęsny, alongside the limited minutes for Gavi, who has played only 29 minutes in one of his last four league matches, while Jules Koundé has not participated in the last three matches.

In the playmaker position, Flick is relying on a clear rotation between Dani Olmo and Fermín López, as Fermín featured against Athletic Bilbao, Olmo against Rayo Vallecano, Fermín against Valencia, Olmo against Feyenoord, Fermín against Levante, Olmo against Racing, and then Fermín against Sevilla. The coach's reliance on specific pairings between the playmaker and the left winger is evident, with Fermín and Anthony Gordon playing together against Valencia, Levante, and Sevilla, while Olmo and Karim Adeyemi partnered against Feyenoord and Racing.

Among Hansi Flick's new ideas is also rewarding good performance and focusing on physical preparation, as seen in the case of Xavi Espart and João Cancelo. The Portuguese player lost his position to Espart, who had a good start to the season, before Cancelo regained his place after his performance against Racing, and then participated against Sevilla.

On the physical side, Flick has placed greater emphasis on physical preparation compared to last season, and the signing of Benjamin Kögel has been a crucial factor in this aspect. Recently, Raphinha admitted the success of the physical work on both personal and collective levels.

These changes reflect Flick's new management style at FC Barcelona, alongside his previous ideas, allowing for greater rotation and competition while taking advantage of players' versatility and rewarding those who perform well.