
THE GERMAN WAS KEY IN THE FCB'S VICTORY
New 'masterclass' from Hansi Flick: The tactical touch-up that changed everything in Benfica-Barça
Published:22/01/2025 - 16:52h
Updated:22/01/2025 - 17:04h
FC Barcelona won against SL Benfica, in part, thanks to the great work of Hansi Flick and an important tactical touch-up by the German. Which one was it? We tell you at FCBN
The match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona (4-5) is one of those matches that can undoubtedly mark a turning point in the season. Indeed, Hansi Flick's team managed to prevail over the Lisbon team in a match that presented constant challenges.
From the second minute, the Catalan team found themselves behind with a 1-0 scoreline and had to fight back throughout the match, witnessing 'The Eagles' goals coming in quite improbable situations.
However, it is clear that Barcelona showed character and managed to overcome a crucial challenge. A vital clash to maintain their good performance in the UEFA Champions League and to try to regain a positive momentum after drawing in the last match against Getafe CF (1-1).
The great merit of Hansi Flick in Barcelona's victory over Benfica
Now, Barcelona's victory was not only due to a display of character, psychological strength, and resilience but also to an important response from the team on the field, largely orchestrated by Hansi Flick. Once again, the German coach showed that he is not afraid to shake things up to improve his team's performance, even if it involves taking risks.
The key tactical change by Hansi Flick came in the 74th minute, with Benfica leading 4-2. The German coach decided to switch the initial 4-3-3 system to a much more offensive setup. At that moment, he replaced Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde with Eric García and Ferran Torres, respectively.
What was special about this change?
With this variation, Hansi Flick showed his intention to focus on the attack, transitioning from using four players in the defensive line to defending with just three, featuring Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, and Ronald Araujo. This new defensive line had two players with good ball control to speed up ball distribution.
Additionally, with Ferran replacing Alejandro Balde, Barcelona shifted to a 3-4-3 formation, with a midfield area consisting of Pedri González and Frenkie de Jong as pivots, Torres and Raphinha as advanced central midfielders, and three forwards with Robert Lewandowski as the striker, Fermín López on the left, and Lamine Yamal on the right.
Although in theory it sounded like that, in practice, it appeared to be a formation with almost five forwards. This created significant numerical superiority and more goal-scoring opportunities.
The German coach's changes directly influenced the scoreline
Ultimately, the Catalan team equalized with a penalty from Robert Lewandowski and a subsequent goal from Eric García, as mentioned earlier, one of the alterations introduced by the German coach. It is worth highlighting the coach's merit, as all of his decisions had an effective impact.
Aside from the goal by the Catalan defender, two of his other substitutions, Fermín López and Ferran Torres, contributed to the decisive goal that sealed the comeback. The Huelva-born player initiated the ball recovery amidst the chaos that had unfolded in the previous play in the culé area, while the Valencia-born player intercepted the clearance made by the '16' and cleared the play with a long pass to set up Raphinha, who, with space and ball control, made a crucial run from the central midfield area. Evading two markers, he placed a shot past Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, who couldn't stop it.