Flick is pulling all the right strings to get Barca back to their best

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Just as it was before the Blaugrana can’t stop scoring

It certainly helps to have your best players rested and ready, but credit to the Barcelona manager for making all the right moves to start the new year when his team’s back was against the ropes.

Barcelona have stormed through the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa, and showing that they’re taking seriously the trophies that are on the line.

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They’re going to need that same attitude on Saturday when they’re back in action in La Liga, wish a visit to notoriously prickly Getafe, managed by the infamous José Bordalás, who will demand more physicality and dark artistry than Real Betis was able to summon.

The question going forward will not be whether Barcelona is one of the most talented teams in the world. At the moment, you could argue they are right at the top alongside Liverpool. But whether they’re able to manage their way to victory against teams that are content to not really play football at all is the big question.

As things currently stand, there is little margin for error in La Liga’s title race. Atletico Madrid is red hot, but they are a team who could also turn cold at a moment’s notice if the momentum dries out. Real Madrid are built for winning close and winning ugly. If Barcelona want to climb the table, they need to not beat themselves, and embrace the fact that there will be frustrating days when they have to rely on grit, rather than exciting play on the field alone.

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But man, Lamine Yamal looks like he’s only getting better. Barcelona need to pray that he stays healthy in the thick of the season to come.

The center back pairing of Pau Cubarsí and Ronald Araujo were sublime. And Jules Kounde continues to be an absolute gem, while Alejandro Balde, who got a rest against Betis, also looks primed for takeoff.

Most encouraging of all from the latest Copa del Rey clash was seeing Gavi and Frenkie de Jong put in, perhaps, their best performances since coming back from injury. Barcelona needs to build depth in the midfield, and know they can rotate with so many matches coming up across so many competitions.

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We can debate whether Barcelona were that good, or if Real Betis were just really bad on the day. It’s a good practice of not getting too excited on good days, and staying grounded in reality.

But I’m curious about the experiment of continuing to use Dani Olmo as a false nine from time to time.

Robert Lewandowski has had a good season, but he’s not getting any younger.

Barcelona were extremely energetic from the jump, and you have to wonder how much having younger legs helped with that. Flick needs that press to work in order for his high octane attacking system to be effective. Dani Olmo was everywhere on the night, and deserves a lot of credit for what he contributed tactically in a new position.

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As for the manager, I can’t say enough about his professionalism. At a club that is often full of distractions manufactured by the media, and inflamed by people in high places, it’s critical to have a coach who puts his head down and stays away from the circus.

Maybe it helps that he’s an outsider who doesn’t speak Catalan.

But I also think it shows a lot about his character. Even while his team was experiencing what could have been very dispiriting and destabilizing struggles on the field, he never made excuses. He evaluated the team honestly, and never strayed away from his expectations, trusting that his players could find their way back.

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Now the team looks just like the group of guys who surprised everyone when the season started.

Like a pack of kids, playing hard, but without a sense of pressure, and for the love of the game.

It’s fun to watch, regardless of where they end up when it’s all said and done.

There’s a long way to go, but one thing’s for sure, we’re in for a treat as fans.

This is a gift of a season, and every game is to be enjoyed.

Source: barcablaugranes.com