In this discussion, Dermot Corrigan, a La Liga writer for The Athletic, and Pol Ballus, a Barcelona writer, dive into Barcelona's impressive start under coach Hansi Flick. They analyze the team's dominant performance against Sevilla and their financial challenges, revealing how a reported €12 million profit is actually a €91 million loss. They also explore the tension between Barcelona's resurgence and the looming threats from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, shedding light on the evolving dynamics within the team and the pivotal role of emerging talents.
Hansi Flick's aggressive playing style and effective man-management have revitalized Barcelona, integrating youth with experienced players for enhanced team chemistry.
Despite recent successes, Barcelona's financial struggles remain a concern, heavily influenced by past decisions and reliance on future revenue initiatives.
Deep dives
Hansi Flick's Impact at Barcelona
Hansi Flick has made a remarkable impact at Barcelona, achieving nine wins out of ten in La Liga. He took over during a difficult transition period, addressing institutional and financial challenges while revitalizing the team's performance. By integrating young talent with established players like Lewandowski, Flick has instilled an energetic and aggressive style of play that resonates with the fans. The team's success is especially significant as they prepare to face major rivals, indicating that Flick's strategies are beginning to take effect.
Team Chemistry and Tactical Approach
Barcelona's current success can be attributed to strong team chemistry, which Flick has nurtured through an aggressive playing style and effective man-management. The blend of youth from La Masia with experienced players has created a collective effort on the field, allowing the team to function as a cohesive unit. Flick's tactical adjustments, such as involving Lewandowski more deeply in play, have led to a more dynamic offensive presence. This contrasts with Real Madrid's reliance on individual talent, showcasing the importance of teamwork in achieving results.
Barcelona's Financial Landscape
Barcelona's financial issues remain a significant concern, as past decisions have led to short-term solutions with long-term consequences. The club's current strategy involves leveraging future revenue through various levers, including the controversial Barca Studios initiative, which has faced challenges in investor commitments. Despite showing some improvement with a profit on paper, the underlying financial struggles persist, leading to complex discussions among stakeholders. Fans remain hopeful that the new Camp Nou will eventually provide a boost, but the club must find stable revenue streams to ensure financial sustainability.
Challenges Ahead: Bayern and Real Madrid
Upcoming matches against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will serve as vital tests for Barcelona under Flick's leadership. Despite the current positive momentum, historical losses to Bayern, particularly the infamous 8-2 defeat, loom large in the players' minds. The pressure to perform well in these clashes is immense, as they represent a benchmark for the team's growth and resilience. Both matches will determine whether Barcelona can maintain their collective strength and fulfill their potential this season amidst high expectations.
10 games into the La Liga season it’s Barcelona who sit top, after a convincing 5-1 demolition of Sevilla on Sunday.
With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to come, this week looks set to test Barca’s newfound resolve under Hansi Flick
So, are Barcelona back?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan to discuss Flick's start to life in Barcelona as well as their financial position before Barcelona writer Pol Ballus drops in having been at the manager's media conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.