The lessons that explain what Barça is

BarcelonaThe victory (3-0) against Atlético de Madrid, Despite not being enough to reach the Copa del Rey final in a tie also influenced by the refereeing, especially in the first leg, it leaves several positive messages that strengthen Hansi Flick's Barça. La Liga, where the team leads a Real Madrid side that has been struggling lately and is missing Kylian Mbappé, and the Champions League, in a run that could see them face Simeone's team again, are the two main focuses from now on.

The symbiosis with a proud fanbase

The first positive message relates to the unique character the club has had and wants to maintain, a fundamental element for connecting with the fans. Surely, few fan bases would end up on their feet, applauding with their heads held high, after their team has just been eliminated. Football, and sport in general, will prevail. The pursuit of victory is the ultimate goal. Barça was eliminated by Atlético. But in the as They emerged victorious. In Madrid, they often laugh at the importance given to it. as In Barcelona, ​​but for the Barça fan, especially the supporter who identifies with Catalonia, losing while playing with a team full of players trained at La Masia or born in Catalan-speaking territories – Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferr Torre – resonates with the idea of ​​collectivity – feeling part of something common – that the club represents. Manuel Vázquez Montalbán defined Barça as the "unarmed symbolic army of Catalonia."

The role of Hansi Flick

Flick has a deep understanding of this idiosyncrasy, which merges seamlessly with his footballing philosophy. The German, with his own nuances, has moved beyond the dogmatic – and historically successful – 4-3-3 system, adapting it to his own vision, with a staggered double pivot. Against Atlético, Barça rediscovered their high press, a non-negotiable element of Barça's best moments, and also of Flick's. This system, which allows for quick ball recovery and catches the opponent off guard by seizing possession as they build an attack, is fundamental to the system's success. In this regard, players like Raphinha and, above all, Pedri are especially important, not only because he tirelessly wins back possession, but also because he orchestrates the team's play, both with and without the ball. Plays improve at his feet, and defensively, he never stops directing his teammates. Flick's proposal is fun, but it also carries risks and a clear dependence on certain footballers for the invention to work.

La Masia and Pedri's commitment

Pedri is not only, arguably, the best midfielder on the planet, but he's also a player who is a Barça fan due to family influence and who has displayed unquestionable commitment. In a year marked by the World Cup, the Canary Islander wanted to stay on the pitch, even though caution after recovering from injury meant playing a maximum of 60 to 75 minutes. This commitment is also key to Flick's approach working. The team is full of young players, with the inexperience that entails, but at the same time, it brings extra courage. Add to that the fact that you're defending the shirt you've worn since childhood, and it directly impacts the players' involvement and resonates with the fans. As many as four players who came through the youth academy (five, if you consider that Balde came on in the 10th minute) started in the epic victory against Atlético. "We were brave and I'm proud. It was a spectacular match. When you see Bernal, Cubarsí, Gerard... young players at this level... they gave everything for this club," said the coach, who has managed to bring Cancelo on board.

It hurts less in the Cup

It also helps Barça's morale to see that Real Madrid was eliminated by Albacete, from the Second Division, and is mired in a crisis of both performance and results. The bittersweet feeling of having a comeback just around the corner is less bitter when you consider the competition. Barça is the reigning Copa del Rey champion. Falling out of the Champions League after a disastrous first leg or letting La Liga slip away due to their own mistakes would surely hurt more. Aside from being eliminated, the other aspect of the night that's causing concern for Flick is the number of muscle injuries. That is, those not strictly related to the misfortunes of the game, such as knocks. The manager – despite a few minor exceptions, like letting Pedri continue after speaking with him – is very methodical with physical conditioning and monitoring playing time. Three players have been sidelined with muscle problems in recent days: De Jong, Koundé, and Balde. It is necessary to rethink whether, with the demands of the Flick model, they are working well in an area that has caused problems in the locker room. where more than a dozen footballers work with external specialists.