Hansi Flick’s ambitious plan for the Barcelona attack

According to Fichajes, Flick is looking to deploy both Rashford and Raphinha simultaneously during preseason to test out a new strategy for next season. With the English forward on the wing and Raphinha as a sort of second striker behind the primary centre-forward, the Barcelona coach wants to add more directness to the team.

While it might not be the kind of role that the Brazilian forward is most commonly associated with, it is a position that he has played in. Moreover, with Rashford’s ability to engage in one-on-one dribbling contests, it should open up even more space for Raphinha to work his magic more centrally.

It would, at least theoretically, allow the Brazilian forward to make more runs into the box and get near the opposition goal more frequently. Furthermore, with Rashford and Lamine Yamal being tasked to operate on the wings, the likes of Raphinha and possibly Robert Lewandowski should have more space to operate centrally.

A lot of fine-tuning still left to do
However, this ambitious concept does need fine-tuning and a lot of work. To do that, Flick is reportedly expected to test this system out, one that still makes use of his team’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation, during the preseason that is now going on.

By combining the explosiveness, directness, and versatility of his forwards, the Barcelona coach wants to create a team full of energy and danger for the opponent. Fortunately, the German tactician should have just enough time to sort out the intricacies of this concept in the coming weeks.