Barcelona dare to dream again thanks to Hansi Flick

A historically ominous European encounter. El Clasico. And an intense derby. What’s the similarity between the three season-defining games? A magnificent, statement win in favour of Barcelona.

Ever since the season began, this revitalized Blaugrana side under Hansi Flick has put their best foot forward and has forgotten to take it off the gas.

Villarreal, Sevilla, and Alaves, all came and all were duly handed a footballing lesson masterminded by the astute German in the Catalans’ dugout.

While oppositions are still stunned by the nightmarish goal-fest that hit them, Barcelona fans, on the other hand, are in dreamland.

40 goals in 12 La Liga games. 99 offsides drawn in 15 matches this season across all competitions.

The Hansi Flick system or ‘Flicki-Flacka’ as it is being famously termed these days is in full flow and is even working to a great effect against the best of the sides.

The entertainment value of Barcelona’s football is so high and the results so rewarding, that it won’t be exactly be wrong for fans to dream about a glittering, trophy-laden season for the club.

Confidence and belief in Flick’s work are absolute at the moment. So much so, that the only question remaining is how many titles can the fans expect from this team come the end of the season.

What is fuelling such belief? What is it that makes this confidence grow profound with each passing game?

Big games, finally big results

“No need to celebrate. This high-line system won’t work against big teams such as Bayern Munich.” Or so they said.

Barcelona 4. Bayern Munich 1. Next.

“It may have worked against Harry Kane and co. but this high-line against Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe would be a dream for Real Madrid’s in El Clasico.” They argued again.

Real Madrid 0. Barcelona 4. At the Santiago Bernabeu.

See, whoever the opposition, however big the stakes, Hansi doesn’t flick away from using his system, so why should Barcelona?

And when the time came to prove their worth, to show that this team is the real deal, the sleeping giant woke up and made its doubters doubt.

After so long, the team looks to be playing consistently at a high level, enabling them to go toe-to-toe with the best in business. Not only that, they simply are proving to be the best in business.

With all due respect to the previous management, this was one of the glooming issues with Xavi Hernandez’s team.

While they must be credited with a spectacular La Liga triumph, their performances against formidable opposition, especially on the European stage, were found wanting more often than not.

Now with Flick at the helm, Barcelona have been able to banish their demons in Europe with a vengeful win over Bayern Munich and then go on to break the losing streak in El Clasico with a thumping win over rivals Real Madrid.

Not only that, Barcelona secured bragging rights with a blistering 3-1 win over Espanyol in the local derby. All within a week’s work.

With these wins, the Blaugrana have positioned themselves as the best team in Spain and Europe by far. Should it continue, titles could very well become a reality very soon.

Same squad, new team

These past couple of weeks have been heaven-sent for Barcelona. Crucial wins with daylight margins mean confidence is soaring within the team. These triumphs are a result of the two-way street of trust that runs deep in this squad.

Flick asks a lot of his players, however, it is evident that they believe in the plan, adopt it as their Bible and execute it till the very end, especially when they seem to be walking against the ropes. In return, the standards of their performances continue to transcend barriers.

Looking at this team, it is almost impossible to single out a player who hasn’t improved under the German tactician. That’s the Hansi Flick effect. A testament to his coaching and man-management. Mind you, the squad isn’t so different that Xavi had at his disposal.

Agreed the club didn’t have much to spend anyway but, Dani Olmo has been the sole major addition to the team under the Barcelona legend and yet the players are showing a level that didn’t seem to be there.

Nobody expected Inigo Martinez to have a prominent role under Flick. Neither was it safe to place bets on Robert Lewandowski’s renaissance at the age of 36. Even Raphinha was on the verge of being sold.

The only ray of hope seemed to be Lamine Yamal but even the teenager has taken his game to another level under the German.

Dani Olmo was deemed to be a luxury signing for many, but with his sterling performances, the €55 million fee increasingly looks to be an absolute steal.

And now the front four is the most potent, lethal and devastating attack in Europe. Scoring for fun and tearing teams apart at will.

Even the midfield has seen a resurgence. Marc Casado, who wasn’t even given a run in the first-team despite Barcelona’s desperate search for a pivot last season, has registered five assists already and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line when it counts.

Meanwhile, Pedri has been liberated as the roaming playmaker alongside Casado and is showing the world why he was once touted as the best in the world. Whisper it quietly, but even his physical problems seem to be behind him.

Under Flick, everyone has a role, everyone is pulling in the same direction. The players fight for the badge and run into the ground for each other on the pitch.

Silverware is on its way?

Now fifteen games in, Barcelona are proving to be unstoppable this season.

A clear identity, a clear plan under a brilliant coach who has completely transformed a group of players who were labouring their way through last season and has them fast-tracked on a trajectory primed for titles.

What was an Achilles heel for them in the years gone by, when big European nights quickly became a stage for embarrassment and dejection is now reverting into a joyous occasion to enjoy breathtaking football in all its glory.

This team also looks well-armed to challenge and even end Real Madrid’s recent stranglehold domestically as well.

If the win over Bayern Munich warned of their arrival, the demolition job in El Clasico showed that this young, dynamic and bold Blaugrana side have well and truly begun to take over.

Such has been the impact that in retrospect, it really wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Hansi Flick has been the signing of the summer for Barcelona.

The joy and the excitement of the past are well and truly back. The club is on the path to achieving greatness again. But make no mistake about it, this is a new Barcelona team. Modelled by Flick. And they are daring to dream.