Hansi Flick

You can now listen to this article on the TFA Podcast! Subscribe for free on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or via RSS. Barcelona Recent Weakness At Defending Corners  On Wednesday, the world's attention turns to the UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Barcelona and Inter Milan. In a challenging match like...

Barcelona remains one of only two teams, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, that can win their domestic league, domestic cup, and the UEFA Champions League in 2024/2025. Hansi Flick’s men successfully defeated their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final on Saturday, with Jules Koundé securing the victory for Barça late on in...

Borussia Dortmund may have been knocked out of the Champions League by FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals this season. However, Dortmund showed the world something in the second leg at Signal Iduna Park. They showed how Barcelona can be beaten, shutting down Hansi Flick's attack and hitting back efficiently. Dortmund...

The moment that FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund were destined to meet in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, it was clear that two different worlds were going to meet up twice in April. Barcelona, on the other hand, has worked through its winter slump and is in stellar form coming...

Last Tuesday, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid played an exciting match in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Both teams delivered an exciting match that resulted in eight goals. The game ended in a four-four draw, taking scores level heading into the second leg. It was very clear...

There is considerable agreement among football fans worldwide that the Estadio de Luz may have just hosted one of the UEFA Champions League’s most exciting matches. On a historical night in Lisbon, we saw an incredibly entertaining match between Benfica and Barcelona, creating new history with the first-ever 5-4 scoreline...

FC Barcelona are rarely out of the headlines in Spanish football, and their resounding victory in the Supercopa de España continued their emerging tactical superiority against fierce rivals, Real Madrid. However, under Hansi Flick’s reign, one player in particular has undergone a significant role change, transforming him from a zero to...

In the build-up to the Super Cup El Clásico, Barcelona’s resounding 4-0 over Real Madrid in October was on everyone's mind. Was that match a fluke? Would Barcelona’s poor run of form to end 2024 hurt them? How would Real Madrid's long list of injuries impact them in this match?...

This tactical theory will analyse tactics used in the attacking phase by teams playing in a 4-3-3 formation.  The tactical analysis will focus on both the individual techniques and movements used by players in Europe's top teams as well as how these forwards interact with their teammates.  Current Premier League...

The Spanish footballing world is bracing itself for a big clash as FC Barcelona face Atlético Madrid in one of the most important games of the La Liga season. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 21 December 2024, at 3:00 PM ET. It will take place at the Estadi Olímpic...

The UEFA Champions League group stage match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at Signal Iduna Park was a great example of skill and strategy in action. Barcelona won 3-2, taking a big step towards qualification for the knockout stages, as we will see in this tactical analysis. After a...

Matchday four of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is complete. Our tactical analysis shares the best formations, plays and tactics from Champions League week four.  We will analyze Barcelona’s attacking tactics, the characteristics of the half-spaces, and the benefits of overloads in these areas. Additionally, we will examine Bayer Leverkusen’s central overload in...

Sometimes, a big team will have an off day and drop points. Sometimes, that team drops points due to misfortune or bad luck. On other occasions, they’re outclassed on the day — this is what happened when Barcelona met Real Sociedad this past weekend and dropped their second set of...

Shooting practice is clearly a vital component of a weekly or even daily training cycle and can be one of the more enjoyable topics to coach and participate in.  Finishing exercises can vary drastically, from simple, individual-oriented shooting drills to more intricate ones incorporating combination play.  Individual or small group...

Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game, so the ability to consistently create high-quality opportunities is extraordinarily valuable. That's the topic of today's tactical theory analysis. We're going to examine how possession-dominant teams create high-xG shots. The first topic of this tactical analysis focuses on creating chances...

After 11 games of the 2024/25 La Liga season, FC Barcelona sit top of the table, six points clear of second-place defending champions Real Madrid. It’s been a highly impressive start to life in the Barca dugout for ex-FC Bayern and Germany manager Hansi Flick, whose win percentage now stands...

FC Barcelona hosted FC Bayern on matchday three of the UEFA Champions League. Both teams, known for their aggressive and high-risk pressing styles, were set to deliver one of the most eventful evenings of football in a long time. Our tactical analysis of the match offers analysis and insight into...

Long gone are the days when we primarily considered the traditional ‘target man’ or ‘target forward’ someone who was mainly good for holding the ball up by utilising their physical advantage. With the evolution of styles and more focus on technical ability, target men have become multi-faceted players who can...

Long gone are the days when we primarily considered the traditional ‘target man’ or ‘target forward’ someone who was mainly good for holding the ball up by utilising their physical advantage. With the evolution of styles and more focus on technical ability, target men have become multi-faceted players who can...

Matchday one of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is complete and it was a whirlwind of action and surprises. Our tactical analysis shares the best tactical formations and plays from Champions League week one, as we dive into what worked and what didn't work. Let's start off with a look...