The arrival of Hansi Flick to Barça's bench last summer has been a breath of fresh air for the club. The German coach landed in Barcelona at a time of doubts and uncertainty after a season full of ups and downs with Xavi. However, in a few weeks he managed to transform skepticism into excitement and confidence.
With his approachable character and innate ability to motivate the locker room, Hansi Flick has managed to revitalize the team and restore its competitiveness, and the players seem different. The confidence and opportunities the coach has provided have been key for many players to bring out their best version. Flick has created a positive atmosphere within the locker room, where all players feel important and have real chances of having a role.
Players Who Have Multiplied Their Level of Play with Flick
One of the most notable aspects of Flick's work has been the ability to recover players who seemed to have lost their level. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are clear examples of this revival. With Xavi Hernández, both seemed far from their best version; doubts about their performance were growing and many thought they had already given their best.
However, with Flick in charge, they have excelled again as world stars. Raphinha is having his best season by far and has numbers worthy of a Ballon d'Or. Lewandowski, meanwhile, has returned to being the lethal forward of yesteryear and is on his way to having his best campaign at Barça.
The Midfield: From Doubts to Assurance
The transformation of Barça has also become especially evident in the midfield. Last season, the midfield was one of the club's major concerns, with few players performing at the level. However, this year, thanks to Flick, Barça has gone from that to an "overbooking" of talent in the midfield.
Pedri has made a leap in quality and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. Frenkie de Jong has also raised his level and, above all, his confidence. Additionally, Flick has bet on youth, giving confidence to Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, who was injured in the first games of the season.
The Locker Room Vetoes a Signing
The good moment has caused a strong sense of belonging among the players, to the point that, according to 'El Nacional.cat', the squad doesn't see the possible arrival of Kimmich well. Despite the German's talent and experience, the players believe it is unnecessary to reinforce the midfield, especially when players like Marc Casadó and Frenkie de Jong are doing well.
Additionally, the locker room also has in mind Marc Bernal who, when he recovers from his injury, will be able to contribute a lot to the team. The idea of maintaining balance and continuing to bet on young talent seems to prevail within the group. This mentality reflects the unity and confidence that Hansi Flick has managed to instill in the squad, a clear sign that Barça feels strong again.