Tactical Flexibility: Barça Triumphs with Three Different Styles in One Week

Hansi Flick continues to find solutions in his FC Barcelona this 2025. After the collective slump of the Blaugrana between November and December of last year, the coach has corrected specific aspects of the team to, through tactical flexibility, resolve matches without altering the base scheme or the structure of his lineup. In just one week, Barça displayed three alternative versions to stay in the 'race' for the treble and confirm their status as the most in-form club in Europe today.

Verticality and Ultra-Offensive Play Against Atlético (4-4)

In the first leg of the Cup 'semis' against Atlético, Barça deployed the vertical and ultra-offensive play that has been the hallmark of the team since Hansi Flick's arrival. Despite conceding two goals in the first 6 minutes, the Catalans were a true juggernaut from the 10th to the 80th minute, scoring 4 goals that could have easily been a few more. In total, the Catalans shot 16 times (9 on target) and ended up drawing in a match that was a true rollercoaster of emotions.

Despite the bitter taste left by the draw, due to the drop in performance in the last ten minutes and coming out sluggish against a 'top' rival, Barça showed character and decisiveness to resolve a match that, on other occasions, would have been a true nightmare. Indeed, the intense duels, with space and a dizzying pace, are what most favor the Blaugrana's game this season. It is no coincidence that the team has already scored 125 goals in just 41 matches.

Practicality and Efficiency Against Real Sociedad (4-0)

Against Real Sociedad, the scenario was radically opposite. The Donostiarras arrived at Montjuïc with the firm intention of keeping their goal intact, and during the first fifteen minutes, they executed their plan to perfection, even managing to create a couple of opportunities in the Blaugrana area. However, after Elustondo's expulsion in the 17th minute, there was only one team on the field. Other clubs (Benfica, for example) may find it even harder to dominate a rival with a numerical disadvantage and sitting deep in their half.

With Barça, however, everyone knew the match was over with Aritz's exit. The rout was just a matter of time, and twelve minutes after the red card, the score was already 2-0 and completely settled. In the second half, two more goals came for a Barcelona that, knowing the difficulties of the calendar for the rest of March, eased off the gas to manage a solid lead against a rival that didn't even attempt a shot throughout the match. 

Sacrifice and Defensive Order in the Visit to Benfica (0-1)

To complete the week in which Hansi Flick confirmed his tactical flexibility, Barça secured victory against Benfica despite playing with ten men for 68 minutes due to Pau Cubarsí's expulsion. The forced substitution of Dani Olmo to reinforce the defense with Ronald Araujo's entry meant that the team adjusted lines into a more compact block, but without completely retreating into their half.

In fact, the winning goal came from Raphinha's high press, something the Catalans never stop doing even when they are at a numerical disadvantage. The match in Lisbon demanded order and sacrifice, and the team understood this immediately. One of Barça's pending tasks in the first half of the season was to improve tactical order and defensive solidity. Well, this 2025 the team remains unbeaten in 16 matches, of which they have managed to win half (8) without conceding goals.