That’s not a Barcelona lineup you should get used to, but it’s just what was needed in the moment.
Kudos to Hansi Flick for thinking creatively, and getting a decisive result against one of Spain’s best teams.
Having Joan García back from injury was a significant boost. Ditto for being back at a Spotify Camp Nou stadium that was rocking with music and positive vibrations.
But the business of the game didn’t change. Athletic Club made some egregious errors that certainly helped Barcelona, but the intensity and desire to get a result was there from the beginning for the Blaugrana.
Hansi Flick had some big decisions to make.
Pedri was still sidelined. Frenkie de Jong was serving a suspension. Marcus Rashford, one of Barca’s most reliable players this season, was out sick.
It all started with how to use Eric García, the ultimate utility man. Would he be used as a center back or a fullback? These are the two areas where he has featured this season under Flick.
Instead, with Pedri and Frenkie out, Eric stepped in to lead the defensive midfield. To no surprise, he was excellent and didn’t skip a beat.
On the defensive line, the expectation was the Ronald Araujo would play. Instead, we saw both Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martín, with Martín moving to center back, giving Flick a left-footed option that has been missing all season long. Don’t be surprised if we see more of this moving forward.
But the creative decisions didn’t end there.
Instead of pairing Eric with Marc Casadó, the most likely option, we saw the midfield filled out by Dani Olmo and Fermín López, two players who were thought to be in direct competition with one another.
Finally, on the forward line, both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres started up top. Again, two players who you would expect, or hope, to not be playing on the field at the same time. This time, it worked, but I for one have been a skeptic of using them concurrently. On the night, however, they were the difference makers.
It worked, because from top to bottom, Barcelona were focused and energetic, and got back to what makes Flick’s system so powerful when it clicks in its ability to overwhelm opponents with constant attacking sequences.
This is just what the doctored ordered. Showing that even when your best players are out, you can keep the show marching on.
Expect to see the likes of Pedri, Frenkie, Marcus, and Raphinha back and rounding off the starting lineup soon.
Today, it was about the supporting cast, and the manager finding solutions amid a sea of problems.
Bravo Barcelona. Way to hit the ground running after an international break.
With Chelsea up next, it comes at just the right time. Barcelona need a strong showing to get back on the rails in the Champions League.
Let’s see what recipe the manager cooks up to keep the momentum going.
