Barcelona manager Hansi Flick changes the system in favor of more control after the bad run
Barcelona He returned to winning ways against Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but in a fashion he is not familiar with this season. Control was the name of the game for the Blaugrana, spreading the more direct style.
Without Lamine Yamal, and Barcelona hurt by Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad in the break, Hansi Flick chose to change his system for the encounter. Fermin Lopez played in the trio behind Robert Lewandowski with Raphinha and Dani Olmo, but it ended up being much more of a diamond formation behind the Brazilian and Lewandowski. Pedri and Lopez were on the sides of that diamond, trading with Olmo inside, and Marc Casado dropped the deepest. It allowed Barcelona almost complete control of the game, limiting it to two shots, neither on target and 24% possession, as per Sport.
Hansi Flick: “The conversation with Lamine Yamal? I said I hope he will be with us on Saturday against Las Palmas.”
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 26, 2024
This contrasts greatly with their previous form, where Barcelona went toe-to-toe with opponents, favoring a more vertical game with more chances for both. Perhaps without the difference that Lamine Yamal offers, Flick felt the need to protect his backline more seeing the damage caused by La Real and Celta.
