Revealed: Hansi Flick’s detailed substitution strategy at Barcelona

Since taking charge as the new Barcelona head coach, Hansi Flick has changed a lot of things in Catalonia.

Despite the recent dip in form, Barça remain a force to be reckoned with and much of that should be attributed to Flick and his strategies.

During his first four or five months in office, one thing that has particularly stood out is Flick’s ability to leverage the substitutes.

Flick’s substitution strategy so far

Indeed, an in-depth look at Flick’s approach over the season so far reveals some intriguing patterns in how he utilizes his squad.

Flick has opted for five substitutions in 19 out of the 24 games played this season, indicating a reliance on his bench to alter the course of matches or to manage player fatigue.

This is hardly surprising either, as Flick comes from the Bundesliga, where utilising substitution is commonplace.

One of the most notable aspects of Flick’s strategy involves the management of key players.

Stars like Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have been regularly substituted, suggesting a focus on preserving their physical condition for crucial moments later in matches or in subsequent games.

On the defensive end, Inigo Martinez stands out as the most consistent starter, seldom being substituted.

However, it must be noted that Flick has had to deal with a severe lack of depth as well, as far as the central defensive unit is concerned.

That said, the player who has seen the most action from the bench is Pedri, having been substituted 18 times.

This frequent rotation might reflect Flick’s strategy to manage the young midfielder’s playing time, balancing his development with the need to prevent burnout, which has perhaps played a key reason behind his strong performances this season.

Overall, Flick has adopted a more nuanced and complex approach when it comes to substitutions. This is a fresh pivot from Xavi’s era, which encountered various problems with regard to substitutes.