Hansi Flick is planning a to make changes in attack as Barcelona gear up for their El Clasico with Real Madrid. The German coach is eager to fix his side’s recent slump and inject new energy into the attack.
A wake-up call for Flick before El Clasico
Barcelona‘s last matches were, to say the least, a very doubtful series of events. The team was already knocked down very badly by the defeats against PSG and Sevilla. It was like a huge cold shower for the players because they had been looking so calm and collected before under Hansi Flick.
The once solid defensive unit has begun to unravel, and the pressing that used to be so good against opponents now varies from poor to non-existent, while the defenders have been leaving areas behind them that are not very hard to target. PSG and Sevilla proved to be quite skillful at making the most of such situations, they just pushed Barca back to their own half and made them run after the score.
The issue is not only defensive errors, but rather the whole team not being sharp collectively. Flick’s system requires a lot of coordinated pressing and quick possession recovery. However, recently his players have been a step behind. That is the type of carelessness which has no room at the highest level. Flick is aware of this and that is why he is ready to do something differently before going up against Real Madrid.
🚨 JUST IN: Hansi Flick is considering pushing Marcus Rashford to play as a central striker.
— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/tdTiaWu4Qp
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) October 9, 2025
Flick in tactical dilemma ahead of El Clasico
Reports in Spain suggest Flick is considering a big call, shifting Marcus Rashford into the central striker role. The left flank has been full of action thanks to the English striker, but Flick believes that through the center he can make a bigger impact. Rashford’s speed and pressing power can bring the Barca attack back to life, mainly in high-intensity matches. The plan is to initiate defense from the front, cause the rivals to make mistakes, and thus create disorder for them.
But there’s a catch. In the main, Flick’s offense is works around Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez. Raphinha will be playing on the left, Lamine Yamal will take up the right wing and Fermin Lopez will play as the linking midfield between the forwards and the attack. At the moment all these three players are ruled out but they will return for the big clash. The German head coach might test the system against Olympiacos in the UCL. That will be a relatively safer stage before the ultimate test at the Bernabeu on October 26. That match could be the perfect warm-up for Barca to regain their identity and intensity.
Torres or Rashford: The final call
Rashford shows off his speed and unpredictability whereas Ferran Torres is more of a constant presser and has a better connection with his teammates. Flick is having an issue concerning the two. Torres has turned out to be an amazing player this season bothering the rival’s defense and scoring important goals. Still, his total gives only a hint of the great striker talent he has. On the other hand, Rashford is a fantastic goal scorer during his pumped-up period, but his intensity is not as deep as Ferran’s.
Flick is asking for power, goals, and organization and it’s not very simple to have all three at the same time. It is certain that Barca will not be able to afford a slow start once again nor a new type of their PSG and Sevilla games. The team has recognized the burden of the El Clasico, and Flick likewise knows that this might be a decisive moment in his career. The fans are not only waiting but are also determined to see their team displaying the same eagerness and brutality that once made them feared throughout Europe.
Author’s Opinion:
Flick’s plan to rearrange the attackers is not shocking, but it is unavoidable. The Catalan club has been playing too much of the same old tune, and a swap among the forwards might just be the thing to make the team come alive again. Whether it’s Rashford or Torres leading the line, the key will be rediscovering the intensity that made Flick’s sides tick.
