Barcelona proceed to battle in a single key facet as a consequence of lack of a specialist

Barcelona’s attacking numbers below Hansi Flick have been spectacular this season – 120 targets in 39 matches, averaging over three per recreation.

Moreover, the crew has improved considerably in set-piece conditions, scoring 21 targets from dead-ball performs.

In any case, the Blaugrana have scored eight penalties (out of 9 taken), seven targets from nook kicks and 5 targets from oblique free kicks.

Direct free-kick points persist

Nevertheless, one main weak spot stays for Barcelona – direct free kicks.

Since Lionel Messi’s departure, the Blaugrana have failed to ascertain a real set-piece specialist, leaving numerous alternatives wasted.

Within the latest Copa del Rey conflict towards Atletico Madrid, Barça had a major likelihood to seal the match with a free kick from 17 meters out, main 4-2 with 10 minutes to go.

Pablo Torre has scored the one direct free-kick objective for Barcelona this season. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)

Nevertheless, as an alternative of taking a direct shot, Raphinha and Lewandowski opted for a pre-planned routine, which went nowhere.

Simply two minutes later, Atletico pulled one again, turning the match’s momentum. Barcelona in the end drew 4-4, lacking a chance to kill the tie.

A crew with no free-kick specialist

A membership of Barcelona’s calibre shouldn’t be with no dependable free-kick taker. This season, the crew has scored only one direct free-kick objective from 23 makes an attempt.

The one profitable effort got here from Pablo Torre towards Sevilla, a long-range strike that went in just because nobody acquired a contact on it. The teenager has fallen off the radar in latest weeks and barely performs now.

Raphinha, regardless of 42 makes an attempt since becoming a member of Barça (together with 18 this season below Flick), has but to attain from a direct free kick. Whereas Pedri has been seen scoring free kicks in coaching, he has by no means tried one in a match.

Simply as Barcelona have improved in corners and oblique free-kick conditions this season, Flick & co. will hope to develop a specialist for direct free-kicks.