Hansi Flick and his game of diminishing returns at Barcelona

Barcelona waded through the rain, adversity and refereeing controversy on Tuesday night to come away with what could be an invaluable win over Benfica in the Champions League. Hansi Flick’s side put in arguably their worst defensive performance of the season, magnified by Wojciech Szczesny’s two errors in his first European start for the club. And yet, somehow, it all ended well.

It certainly helped to avoid a media inquest into Barcelona’s form – after just one win in eight La Liga clashes is only avoiding one due to their European performances and a Clasico win over Real Madrid. Yet on Tuesday night, Barcelona went into the match like a winner goes online at Cherry Red Casino and felt lucky. Having done so much wrong, Flick will take heart from his side’s faith in themselves.

The fundamental basis of Barcelona’s game under Flick so far has been to stretch the pitch vertically for the opposition defence where possible: it is where most of their goals have come from. The tricky part is reducing that same space when the Blaugrana lose the ball. Something they did well over the early part of the season, but was always accompanied an element of risk throughout.

However Flick’s somewhat logical conclusion, or at least this is how it looks, is that if Barcelona create the same amount of chances as their opponents, the Catalan side should have the quality and bravery to finish more of their opportunities than their opponents. With Robert Lewandowski having an Indian autumn, and Raphinha in the form of his life, this played out in their favour initially.

Over the past two months, that model has to a certain degree collapsed. Mixed in have been poor performances, and sloppier defending, but overall, Barcelona are still approaching the games carrying out the same idea. With a shorter squad, one which contains no natural replacement for Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Marc Casado, Alejandro Balde or Jules Kounde, Flick has been forced to rely on those names where possible except in punctual situations.

The accuracy and the mental sharpness required for the fine margins, be it an offside line or finishing in front of goal, are waning from those same players. Pedri seems anomalous, Balde and Lamine Yamal remain at a high level, but it is no surprise that Flick has seen a dip from his side.

If Barcelona are to have success during the business end of the season, Flick will have to find a way of reducing the risk, the mental sharpness required or the fatigue setting into his side. Given the limitations of his squad, it’s easier said than done.