Flick's own rule: if you have the ball, the other side cannot score.
“Si vous avez la possession du ballon, l'adversaire ne peut pas marquer.”If you have possession of the ball, the opponent cannot score. our translation
Flick's Barcelona go forward quickly and smother you when they lose the ball.
“Un equipo que es una máquina ofensiva, vertical y de presión asfixiante que combina el rigor físico con la vocación ofensiva, esencia del estilo Barça.”A team that is an attacking machine, direct and suffocating in its pressing, combining physical rigour with an attacking vocation, the essence of the Barça style. our translation
Flick's Barça now keep the ball for long spells, moving it until a gap opens, which they never used to do under him.
“The trend matters because Barcelona's passing volume is rising at the same time as their share of possession.”Their back line stands miles up the pitch, so there is a huge open field behind them. Watch any quick opponent time his run and go — that is where Barcelona can be hurt.
“En banda izquierda, el constante y profundo Álvaro García, sus 33 años, sigue siendo un arma a tener en cuenta ante defensas que, como la del Barça, juega con muchos metros a sus espadas.”On the left wing, the relentless, deep-running Álvaro García, at 33, is still a weapon to watch out for against defences that, like Barça's, play with a lot of ground behind them. our translation
They hunt the ball back the second they lose it, and they keep doing it in the 85th minute as much as the 5th — Flick empties his bench of attackers rather than let the tempo drop.
“El técnico azulgrana demostró, reemplazando a los cuatro jugadores más ofensivos que, uno de sus objetivos para esta temporada, será la de mantener la intensidad, la presión y la velocidad de juego en todos los minutos de todos los partidos.”By replacing all four of his most attacking players, the Barcelona coach showed that one of his aims this season will be to keep the intensity, the pressing and the speed of play going for every minute of every match. our translation
Their forwards are genuinely fast and keep making runs in behind. Expect balls played over the top for them to chase, one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
“El Barça tiene a auténticos velocistas arriba con mucha determinación en las finalizaciones ofensivas.”Barça have real sprinters up front, with a lot of conviction when it comes to finishing attacks. our translation
Their defenders stand very high up the pitch, so a well-timed run in behind can be through on goal.
“In order to do this, Barca employ an extremely high defensive line to allow the defenders to step up and press when their attacking line and midfield line have been bypassed or broken.”If you get past their first wave of pressure, another one is coming straight behind it.
“While many teams using this tactic have failsafes and recovery plans if the press is broken, Barcelona respond to a broken press with, essentially, another line of pressing.”