FC Barcelona travel to Villareal to take on the yellow submarine this Sunday in their last game of the year. Hansi Flick‘s side are one of the most in form teams in Europe having won their past six matches in all competitions. Oddly enough, playing away from home might be an advantage for Barca this weekend. The past five times these teams have met up in La Liga the away team has come home with three points. It is promising to be a cracker of a game where first meets third. On top of that Barcelona lead the league in scoring, averaging 2.8 goals every game. Whilst Marcelino’s Villareal side seem to have the best defense in the league. Only conceding a goal every 103 minutes in the Spanish topflight.
Flick’s Barcelona seems to be going through a transitional period. Throughout the beginning of the season questions remained surrounding their defensive state. Not only did they see veteran Iñigo Martinez leave in the summer- Martinez made .. appearances in the 24/25 season, the … most in the Barcelona squad. – without bringing in a replacement for the Spaniard. Flick and his players also received criticism for their zealously regarding the use of their highline. A problem which was exposed most harshly during their showdown with Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid in October’s el Clásico. A fixture which played out oppositely from last season’s.
What has changed at Barcelona?
The first change in Flick’s squad seems to be Ferran Torres. Whilst Robert Lewandowski started the season leading the line for Barca, this spot has recently been filled by Ferran Torres. A passing of the torch was expected to gradually take place by fans last season. But whilst las season Torres seemed to be unable to fill the Polish striker’s shoes, he now has been able to find his shooting boots.
One way in which his playstyle seems to have changed is the number of touches Ferran seems to take. By taking fewer touches, often even finishing within just 2 touches of the ball, he is more dependent on his excellent instincts. Something which he had showcased glimpses of in previous seasons with his ability to find himself in shooting positions, but with this change he seems closer to the finished product.
Secondly Flick seems to have found a solution for his squads Iñigo Martinez’ shaped hole in defense. Two solutions, to be precise. Most recently la Masia graduate Gerard Martin has been deployed on the left in the centre of the Barcelona defense. He has even been dubbed Gerard Maldini, by fans and teammates, heralding his performances in this new position.
Flick’s biggest trump card this season has been Eric Garcia. The Spaniard whose future at Barcelona was unsure just 18 months ago, in the summer of 2023, has been the solution for all problems his coach has been confronted with. Not only has he made the most appearances for his team this season, but he has done so filling in across the pitch. Playing both centre back roles and even in defensive midfield when necessary.
Those aren’t the only adjustments Flick has made to his squad. Recently star boy Lamine Yamal has been making appearances in the ten-position. This transition is one that has been planned internally at Barcelona as the coaching staff sees him as a possible ten or false-nine. This shift has made way for Roony Bardghij to make more minutes on the right-side of the Barca attack. The pieces seem to be falling into place at the Nou Camp.
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