Hansi Flick has had an excellent start with Barcelona. The German coach won the first four matches in La Liga, putting him in a group alongside others like Louis van Gaal.
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In the first three matches of the new season, Barcelona was less convincing, narrowly securing victories without showcasing their usual dominance.
However, on Saturday, they delivered a spectacular performance, thrashing Rayo Vallecano 7-0. This emphatic win highlighted the team’s growing confidence and adaptation to their new coach's tactics. With twelve points from four games, thirteen goals scored, and only three conceded, the coach, Hansi Flick, has become one of the best starters in La Liga history. His record puts him in elite company; while Harry Bagge managed to do slightly better with Athletic Bilbao, achieving a goal difference of +17, former Barcelona coaches Gerardo Martino and Louis van Gaal also started their campaigns impressively with a goal difference of +10.
The fans at Montjuïc, Barcelona's temporary home stadium, chanted Flick's name in unison, showcasing their early approval of the German tactician. Spanish media were quick to laud his impact, with several outlets calling him 'the best signing of the summer.' Despite the praise, Flick remained grounded in his post-match comments: "It gives me a proud feeling that such things are being said, but we've only played four matches, and things can change quickly." He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum: "I am happy for the fans, but we especially need to keep going like this. There is still a long way to go."
Under Flick’s guidance, several players have shown significant improvement, with Raphinha being a standout example. The Brazilian winger, who had struggled to find consistent form in previous seasons, thrived under Flick’s management, scoring the first hat-trick of his career during the 7-0 win. Flick expressed his delight in Raphinha’s progress, stating, "It took too long for him, but he has a lot of quality. Rapha feels confident and freer on the field than before."
Flick also praised summer signing Dani Olmo, who made an immediate impact by scoring in his first two matches. "Dani is doing fantastic and provides balance to the team. It’s great to have him with us," Flick said, highlighting Olmo's versatility and vision as key components in the team's recent success.
A touching moment from the Rayo Vallecano match caught the attention of the Spanish media. Despite the comfortable lead, young right-back Héctor Fort remained the only outfield player in the match squad who hadn’t yet played any minutes this season. After the game, Flick took the time to call Fort over and explain his decision, showing a thoughtful and considerate side to his management style. "The detail of Flick with Héctor Fort is very telling," wrote Mundo Deportivo, noting the compassionate gesture as Flick gave Fort a reassuring hug, emphasizing the importance of every player in the squad, even those who haven't yet featured prominently.
This moment of empathy highlights Flick’s commitment not just to winning matches but also to fostering a supportive environment for his players, an approach that seems to be winning over both the team and the fans early in his tenure at Barcelona.
Updated: 12:38, 1 Sep 2024
