The only puzzle that Hansi Flick has not yet been able to solve

BarcelonaWith his arrival to replace Xavi Hernandez, Hans-Dieter Flick promised to get much more out of a squad that seemed to have blown its fuses. No major changes, apart from Dani Olmo who, between problems with his registration and his injuries, He has only played more than 80 minutes on three occasions in the 23 games he has played, And Pau Victor, the German has managed to give the team an identity. In a short time, Barça has gone from trembling in the big matches to mercilessly defeating teams like Real Madrid and Bayern this season.

With direct and practical language, treating the players with a soft hand and showing himself inflexible with some breaches of discipline such as delays – Kounde has lost two starts and thus began the ostracism of Iñaki Peña – Flick has gradually made his own a dressing room that is first in the League, tied with Madrid, qualified as second in the group stage of the new Champions League and will play on April 2 at the Metropolitano for a ticket to the final of the Copa del Rey. after drawing 4-4 in the first leg.

The Blaugrana team, despite coming back from 0-2 down after a disastrous first few minutes, let Atlético get away alive after having done the most difficult thing: turn the score around and get a two-goal lead that was cut short in the final minutes. The changes, especially in midfield, disoriented the team. This is what they admitted from the dressing room to this newspaper, claiming that there was "less possession and more disarray." An exhausted Pedri, who had been one of the best of the Blaugranas, left the field of play in the 85th minute to make way for Eric Garcia, while Fermín came on for Raphinha. There was little time left until the end, but Atlético was already winning the battle in midfield at that time. Before, in the 68th minute, Gavi had replaced Olmo, who had been without a starter for more than a month. De Jong, brave in bringing the ball out, but weak in some defensive actions, completed the ninety minutes.

The midfield and Pedri's exception

With Szczesny in goal and the star defence – Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde – as well as the forward line – Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha –, with some specific rotations such as the entry of Gerard Martín at left-back or Ferran at the head of attack, the midfield remains the same. With the exception of Pedri, who was very angry after the draw and regretted not having held possession at the end of the match, it is in the midfield where the German is making the most changes.

After Marc Bernal's injury, Casadó became the owner of the pivot, a position in which Eric Garcia has also played and where, in recent games, Flick has opted for De Jong, who had a hard time getting into rhythm after the problems he suffered with his ankle. "Nothing has happened with the Home. I also speak. Frenkie is playing very well, he has a good level, especially regarding ball possession. He is very good and is going through a good moment. Home also does it well. "Let's fight for more minutes against a man, I won't say that we fight against him," Flick will ensure the cap for the week. De Jong has guaranteed the game to Casadó, who has gone from being a fixture in the first team to being a starter in just one (from Las Palmas) of the last five games. Against Atlètic he will not play and Flick will prefer to place Eric of pivot the last few minutes because, to be also very young, compta amb three seasons more of experience to the elit and the technician will consider that the maresmenc would bring more calm to the joc in a delicate moment

The other big question is the choice between Olmo and Gavi. minutes From the midfielders to see the tests that Flick has made. Pedri has played 2,963 minutes, and is the fourth player in the squad who has played the most (only surpassed by Cubarsí, Raphinha and Koundé). Starting with the Canary Islander, however, there is a variety in the minutes that demonstrate Flick's doubts in finding the best companions for the Canary Islander: Casadó (2,270), De Jong (1,189), Olmo (1,144), Fermín (1,089) and Gavi (894). Pablo Torre, although he did not do badly when he played, is the midfielder with the most residual participation: only 373 minutes. Nobody doubts his good ball handling, but he continues to be penalized by defensive tasks, non-negotiable for a Hansi Flick who also wants to find his gala midfield.