The evolution of Flick

Victor Valdés, following his victorious debut in charge of Real Ávila CF, a team playing in the Second Division of the Spanish Football Federation, offered words of congratulations to Barça in the post-match press conference for beating Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and praised Hansi Flick. Regarding the German coach, the legendary goalkeeper said, "I really enjoy watching Barça play because the coach has been able to see where football has evolved and has been able to give the 4-3-3 a different touch with a different dynamic." Victor, who struggled during his brief tenure managing the Blaugrana youth team because he wanted to give his personal interpretation to the Barcelona style of play, added, "I truly believe in the football they play because in real football, someone has been long overdue to implement it."

The stagnation of Barça's style has been a passionate debate raging in recent years within the Barcelona community, with significant discussions between the most dogmatic defenders of the model and those calling for an evolution toward a more direct and vertical style of play. Jordi Cruyff himself admits to having had a few arguments during his time as sporting director with President Laporta, a staunch defender of the DNA, praising the advantages of attacking from deep. Fortunately for Flick, his disconnection from the toxic effects of being overly focused on his surroundings allows him to act like a free spirit, true to his own convictions.

The modernization introduced by the German coach will be the great legacy he leaves behind during his time at the Camp Nou dugout, and it will go beyond the number of titles he wins. Long gone are the days when Luis Enrique was criticized for his limited ball movement through midfield, trying to get the ball as quickly as possible to the best trident in history: Messi-Suárez-Neymar. Flick's new Barça has done away with outdated dogmas. The lack of ball possession, which once condemned Tata Martino, is no longer a matter of discussion because it's not about having the ball, which is already important, but rather about circulating it as quickly as possible, in order to attack without the opponent being organized in defense, closing down the spaces.

After more than half a century of clear Dutch influence, with Michels, Cruyff, Van Gaal, Rijkaard, and Koeman, it took a German coach, born in Heidelberg, like Flick, to modernize Barça's style, as daring as it is effective. The Catalans are once again fully confident in their team, something that hasn't happened for some time.