If there's one thing Hansi Flick has demonstrated in this early 2025/26 season with FC Barcelona, it's that he intends to give the bulk of his sports project members the opportunity to see action. A vital trust and disposition in a season with a large number of commitments.
A 2025/26 campaign where it's necessary to have alternatives to avoid overloading the players. With this, there are fewer chances of them reaching the most important stretch of the season, when competitions are decided, completely burned out.
Proof of this willingness is seen in the fact that, just at the start of the 2025/26 season, with the azulgrana team playing only a couple of league matches, the German coach has used a total of 19 different players, making variations in practically all areas of the field, except in goal.
In goal, Joan García has been the undisputed starter both against RCD Mallorca and against Levante UD, currently totaling 180 minutes. The player from Sallent is tied in this record with Pedri González and Lamine Yamal, two key pieces of Flick's starting eleven.
How Flick has managed the minutes in the Barça defense
In other areas, there have been changes. For example, at right-back, Eric García started as a starter both against the vermillion and against the granotas (175'), being replaced on both occasions by Jules Koundé (18'), who was an immovable starter in that position during the 2024/25 season.
A similar situation occurs in the center-back duo. Although Pau Cubarsí (159') and Ronald Araújo (166') have started in both matches, Flick also gave minutes to Andreas Christensen (14'), strengthening the central lane of the defensive line.
In turn, at left-back, Alejandro Balde has been the main starter, totaling 144 minutes. However, the Spanish-Dominican defender was also replaced when the German coach allowed Jofre Torrents to debut as a professional, adding 22' of play to his account.
How Flick has managed the minutes in the Barça midfield and attack
The midfield is where the Barça squad has the greatest overbooking of players. Pedri González remains the only immovable player, while behind him, players like Dani Olmo (90'), Frenkie de Jong (90'), Gavi (66'), Marc Casadó (45') and Fermín López (45') receive minutes, showing the plurality and rotation proposed by the German coach.
In the offensive front, in addition to Lamine Yamal, an undisputed starter and participating in all possible minutes this season, Hansi has distributed the minutes in the center between Ferran Torres (159') and Robert Lewandowski (14'), while the left sector has alternated between Raphinha (167') and Marcus Rashford (66').
This diversity of options reinforces a clear idea: with Flick, nothing is written in stone. Opportunities are assigned according to performance and the needs of the moment, generating healthy competition and stimulating the growth of the sports project.