Another resounding victory with a five-goal margin saw Barcelona defeat Betis at home, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Three weeks have passed since the "Clash of Kings" against Atletico Madrid, and the Blaugrana have restored their confidence through consecutive victories on the cup stage. Flick has methodically solved tactical conundrums, and the return to form of the injured Yamar has further bolstered hopes for the team's future.
Emerging from the Shadows of "The Clash of Kings," Starting the New Year with Consecutive Wins
Starting with the defeat at Anoeta, Barcelona entered a turbulent period lasting over two months, losing 16 points in eight league matches. By the halfway point, they were six points behind the top, with Yamar's two injuries tugging at the heartstrings and frequent player registration issues causing endless troubles.
Considering Flick's experience of starting strong but faltering later during his tenure at Bayern Munich and the German national team, public opinion generally held a pessimistic view of the Blaugrana's prospects. Facing tactical challenges such as how to enrich and perfect the offside trap, whether to adjust the defensive mode and backline personnel, and how to organize attacks in Yamar's absence... a series of tactical questions lay before him, and Flick's choice of a "laissez-faire" approach was surprisingly unexpected.
In the final match, despite dominating, Barcelona lost to Atletico Madrid. However, neither Flick nor the players were disheartened; the epic victory in the Spanish Super Cup final was enough to reverse the season's trajectory. Real Madrid adopted a defensive counter-attacking stance, and Barcelona killed the game's suspense within half a time, holding a four-goal advantage that provided significant tactical flexibility. They could continue with the offside trap or choose to retreat and organize the defense; the choices made during this period had limited reference value. In this match against a well-prepared Betis, Barcelona quickly established a two-goal lead, and Flick's disciples remained "unyielding," as the invincible team from the start of the season returned.
Making Every Effort to Avoid the Potholes, Flick is Prescribing the Right Medicine
With a first-half possession rate of 71% and a full-game rate of 69%, Barcelona maintained dominance throughout the match. Despite consecutive setbacks in the league, they did not compromise on their tactical style. Flick's stubbornness also had its hidden difficulties - in most games, Barcelona needed to extend the time of high pressing. Without employing the offside trap, the distance players would need to cover would significantly increase, making it physically unfeasible. The defense led by Kubašić, Iñigo Martínez, and Casado would struggle to withstand prolonged sieges, and Lewandowski's age meant he could not be everywhere in 90 minutes.
Originally seen as key pieces to enrich the defensive system, Christensen and Araujo unfortunately faced persistent injury issues, with the latter only recently returning. Flick needs time to consider how to perfect the defensive structure. According to local Spanish media reports, Araujo is reconsidering his transfer plans, and during the strong confrontations in the season's sprint phase, the Barcelona defense will need a player with his combination of strength, speed, aerial ability, and rich match experience.
With obvious weaknesses at both ends of the squad, it is a more cost-effective strategy to seize the initiative and quickly establish a leading advantage, which requires a high conversion rate of opportunities. Since taking office, Flick has led Barcelona in 29 matches, scoring 88 goals, averaging 3 per game, with the firepower output unmatched in Europe. In this match, Lewandowski's rest did not affect Barcelona's offensive efficiency, with Olmo's two assists proving his suitability for the "false nine" role, giving Flick three options for the number 9 position.
In his previous coaching stints at Bayern and the German national team, Flick experienced the feeling of starting high but falling low. During Barcelona's recent stretch of 5 points in 7 league matches, there were concerns that the German might repeat past mistakes. The Christmas-New Year holiday came at just the right time, allowing Flick and the players to reorganize their thoughts, unify their ideas, and await the returns of Yamar and Araujo, finding new paths to navigate through the tactical fog.