"Barcelona's 2025/26 season has been anything but smooth. With several key players sidelined due to injuries, Hansi Flick's side has struggled to build rhythm or consistency. Even after their hard-fought 2-1 win over Girona, the overall performance raised familiar questions - why does Flick keep changing his line-up halfway through matches, and what does it say about the team's current state?"
"The match against Girona once again followed a now-familiar pattern. Flick started with Toni Fernandez, but after a quiet first half, he replaced him with Fermin Lopez during the break. It seemed like a small tactical decision, but it marked the eighth time in nine La Liga matches this season that the manager has made a substitution at half-time. Last season, such changes were rare - just 13 in 38 games - but this year, it has become a regular occurrence."
Barcelona entered the 2025/26 season hindered by multiple injuries that disrupted rhythm and consistency. Hansi Flick has repeatedly changed starting line-ups, often making halftime substitutions in eight of eleven matches so far. The pattern contrasts sharply with the previous season, when halftime changes were rare. Many substitutions appear reactive to poor starts, while some are precautionary or aimed at maintaining control even when leading. Flick describes decisions as match-by-match, but the frequency suggests increased adaptability or uncertainty. The coaching approach has been tested more this season, prompting debate over initial selection and in-game management.
Read at Barca Universal
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