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Hansi Flick reveals key Barcelona tactical change as German hints at move away from possession-based style
Hansi Flick, the new Barcelona boss, has hinted at bringing changes to the club’s traditional possession-based playing style in the upcoming 2024/25 season. Flick, who took charge of the club earlier this summer following Xavi Hernandez’s departure, aims to introduce a more pressing game in the opposition’s half with a focus on scoring as many goals as possible.
Flick, a former Germany and Bayern Munich boss, replaced Xavi after the club legend went trophyless last season despite guiding the Catalan giants to two title wins, including a La Liga triumph, in his first full season at Camp Nou.
Speaking to Barca One, Flick said, “Here the tradition is to play with passing, but I also want them to go straight to the goal. They should focus a bit more on scoring. I don’t think my style has any major changes. I’m looking for the same thing, to press high up, and to play in the opponent’s midfield. But, at the end of the day, you have to win. Everything is about winning games and at Barca, you have to play well.
“All I can say is that we want to be an active team. We have to be active with and without the ball. It’s up to us to make it that way. We can make the opponent go in the direction we want and win the ball back as quickly as possible. I like my teams to press the opponent at the right moment, and sometimes higher up. And with the ball, all players have to have as much freedom as possible. That’s how I see it from a technical point of view.”
He added, “We have our philosophy and we have our style. We know how we want to play, but every match is a challenge. During the course of a match, there can be changes. Always looking for the best for the team.
“We can decide to move a midfielder forward or move him to another position. But the change can also come in the way we press. These are small details that we can implement depending on what the opponent offers us. The changes will be applied depending on the match and the rival. We will always be open to modifying these small details.”
The Blaugrana will play their first pre-season friendly in the United States on July 30, taking on English reigning champions Manchester City in Orlando.