The unshakable veteran leaders behind Hansi Flick’s youthful Barcelona revolution

The unshakable veteran leaders behind Hansi Flick’s youthful Barcelona revolution

Barcelona have lengthy been recognized for his or her dedication to growing younger expertise, with rising stars like Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, and Pedri securing their long-term futures on the membership. 

Nevertheless, whereas the youthful core of the squad stays an important a part of the workforce’s imaginative and prescient, the significance of skilled leaders can’t be understated.

In Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, three veterans have emerged as completely untouchable: Robert Lewandowski, Inigo Martinez, and Wojciech Szczesny. 

These three gamers, regardless of being the oldest members of the squad, have turn into indispensable pillars within the beginning XI, contributing each on and off the pitch with their management, expertise, and consistency. 

They type the spine of the workforce, bringing stability to a facet present process a youthful revolution beneath Flick.

The maintaining scenario is sorted

Wojciech Szczesny is Barcelona’s first-choice keeper. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)

Between the posts, Szczesny has firmly established himself because the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. When he arrived at Barcelona, there was some uncertainty about his function, however Flick has decisively ended any debate surrounding the goalkeeping place. 

The shot-stopper, recognized for his reflexes, composure, and talent to command the field, has been a key determine in guaranteeing defensive stability. 

His expertise on the highest degree has made him a dependable presence on the again, giving the workforce the reassurance it wants in essential moments.

The defensive chief

Inigo Martinez is extraordinarily necessary for Barcelona. (Picture by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)

In the meantime, Martinez has skilled a resurgence beneath Flick. Final season, the Spanish centre-back struggled to cement an everyday spot, however issues have modified dramatically this time period. 

Now, he’s an undisputed starter, taking part in an important function within the defensive construction. Flick’s tactical setup locations nice significance on maintaining a excessive line of defense and catching opponents offside, a method that requires intelligence and self-discipline from the centre-backs. 

Martinez has thrived on this system, utilizing his expertise and positioning to assist preserve defensive organisation. His physicality, aerial presence, and talent to learn the sport make him a key determine in Barcelona’s backline.

The attacking lynchpin

Robert Lewandowski is Barcelona’s high scorer this season. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)

In assault, Lewandowski stays Barcelona’s most deadly weapon. At 36 years previous, the Polish striker continues to defy age together with his unimaginable goal-scoring consistency. 

His ending means, motion off the ball, and positional consciousness make him probably the most harmful forwards in world soccer. He has been on a outstanding scoring streak, netting in 4 consecutive matches. 

Towards Rayo Vallecano, he reached his twentieth league purpose of the season, and throughout all competitions, he has already amassed a formidable 32 targets. His starvation for targets retains Barcelona aggressive, and he stays a powerful contender for the Golden Boot.

Is there anybody in midfield?

Flick considers Frenkie de Jong as a pacesetter in midfield. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)

Curiously, the midfield is the one space the place Flick has not relied on veteran gamers. Nevertheless, even right here, expertise has began to take priority. 

Whereas younger expertise Marc Casado, at 21, was initially given alternatives, Flick has more and more positioned his belief in Frenkie de Jong. 

At 27, the Dutchman shouldn’t be as skilled as a number of the older gamers, however he has spent a number of years on the high degree in each Spain and the Netherlands. His means to dictate play and preserve management in midfield has given him the sting over youthful alternate options.

The spine of Hansi Flick

At the moment, Barcelona have solely 4 gamers of their squad aged 30 or older: Lewandowski, Szczesny, Martinez, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is one other chief at Barcelona. (Picture by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)

Nevertheless, with the German goalkeeper sidelined as a consequence of a severe damage suffered in August, the remaining three veterans have carried the duty of offering management on the pitch. 

Amongst them, Lewandowski is the oldest at 36, adopted by Szczesny at 34 and Martinez at 33. Ter Stegen, at 32, shouldn’t be anticipated to return earlier than the tip of the season.

Whereas Barcelona’s venture is closely centered on youth, it’s these skilled figures who guarantee stability throughout the workforce. Their presence is significant in guiding the following technology, providing each stability and management. 

Beneath Flick, this mix of youthful power and veteran expertise has been key in shaping Barcelona’s present id, proving {that a} profitable workforce should strike the precise stability between promising expertise and seasoned professionals.