At first glance, the opposition between FC Barcelona and the relegated Valladolid was not a summit. But behind his apparent banality hid a strong strategic choice. This Saturday, Hansi Flick surprised everyone by completely upsetting his starting eleven. A massive, risky rotation, but dictated by an explosive calendar. And he was not hidden: “The title can be lost here”he even recognized at a press conference.
The first strong decision was to reinstall Marc-André Ter Stegen in the cages, 222 days after his knee injury. The German replaces Szczesny, aligned during his absence. In front of him, Flick aligned an unprecedented quartet: Eric Garcia, Araujo, Christensen and the young fort. Exit Koundé, injured, and other usual holders. The message is clear: priority to freshness to challenge Inter Tuesday, in the semi-final return of the Champions League.
Even the midfielder has not escaped the youthful treatment. No Dani Olmo de Pedri. It was Jong, Gavi and Fermín who were established, all to revive after staks in sawtooth. A desire to inject dynamism, even if it means losing in automation. Flick plays a daring partition where energy management takes precedence over the statutes.
Total rotation at Barça: Flick blows all the frames!
In front, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are at rest, while Lewandowski is still injured. The Trio Ansu Fati-Ferran Torres-Pau Vitor was aligned to animate the avant-garde Blaugrana. A bet there again daring, as the offensive animation is usually based on automatisms between the Polish scorer and his lieutenants.
With this revolved team from top to bottom, Flick takes on a real risk. The title is not yet won, and any loss of point could be very expensive. But it is also the choice of a lucid coach, who knows that his European future goes through Milan. And to believe the smiles in training session, his group seems to join this life -size rotation.
