Journalist questions Hansi Flick’s substitution tactics during AS Monaco clash

In a recent analysis of Barcelona’s performance under Hansi Flick during their match against AS Monaco, journalist David Bernabeu highlighted concerns regarding the timing and effectiveness of Flick’s substitutions. 

He said that it is clear that a different approach could have significantly impacted the game, as the team needed a midfielder much earlier.

The match took a challenging turn for Barcelona early on, with Eric Garcia receiving a red card just 10 minutes into the game. This left the team with ten players, necessitating a tactical shift to maintain their competitive edge. 

Despite this early setback, Flick waited until the 79th minute to make his first substitution, a decision that many observers believe was a miscalculation.

By that stage, Barcelona were already behind, trailing 2-1 and in dire need of a goal.

Torre should have come sooner

Bernabeu pointed out that bringing on Pablo Torre sooner could have strengthened the midfield. The team needed additional support in that area to regain control and create more opportunities. 

However, Flick’s first substitutions were defensive in nature, bringing on Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez to replace Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, respectively. 

This choice raised eyebrows, as it seemed counterproductive when the team was in desperate need of attacking options to overturn the deficit.

The only attacking adjustment made at that time was the late introduction of Ferran Torres, who came on to replace Pau Cubarsi. 

Meanwhile, Torre’s introduction came too late in the match to make a significant difference. By the time the midfielder finally entered the pitch in the 83rd minute, the situation felt almost hopeless for Barcelona. 

The timing of the substitutions indicated a lack of urgency and an understanding of the game’s flow, especially when the team was clearly struggling to keep pace with their opponents.

In moments where a team is faced with adversity, such as losing a player early on, managers must be quick to reassess their strategies and make the necessary changes.