Barça's Playmaking Crisis: Flick's Test Ahead of Girona Clash

Barça's Playmaking Vacuum Ahead of Girona Clash

Injuries have hit the Blaugrana hard in recent weeks as they resume their La Liga campaign after the international break, with a real playmaking crisis forcing coach Hansi Flick to confront a position with no ready-made options. Dani Olmo’s injury with the Spanish national team has added to a casualty list that already included Gavi, Fermín López, and Raphinha.

According to AS, Flick’s woes mounted with Olmo’s injury as he races to have a few players ready for the much-anticipated Girona game, while the staff wrestles with the physical readiness of those returning from setbacks.

Lopez status

Only weeks ago, Barcelona was hearing about a Chelsea bid for Fermín López, and some argued there was a midfield glut with Gavi, Olmo, and Raphinha, which could have limited Fermín’s minutes. The reality today is different: Flick has zero available players in this central area, at least for now.

The newspaper adds that Fermín López and Raphinha are nearing full recovery and could be available against Girona, though they have not yet received medical clearance, while Olmo has already returned to Barcelona after his recent international duty.

Fermín López began partial training with the squad last week after an injury picked up against Getafe, and Raphinha had an injury to his right biceps femoris. Even if both are fit to play, the coaching staff are cautious about risking them from the start to avoid another setback.

As for Gavi, he faces a long lay-off extending into 2026 following a knee arthroscopy procedure.

Flick was right

AS also notes that Flick’s refusal to let players leave after last summer’s surprise departure of Ignacio Martínez now reads as a measured, prudent choice, given the risk of a string of injuries and his broader rotation policy this season.

Even with minutes being shared, Barça were not immune to the injury bug. Yet the club can lean on a rising youth talent: against Real Sociedad, the promising Dru Fernández made his official first-team debut, and he could again be in Flick’s plans if Fermín López and Raphinha are not fully recovered or if the coach prefers not to risk them from the opener.

In this scenario, Flick finds himself facing a difficult test after the break, needing to craft tactical solutions to cover for the absence of playmakers while balancing the need to win with player safety in a crowded and lengthy season for Barça.

A bright name

Flick is widely regarded as one of the standout German coaches of the last decade, building a reputation through a rigorous, disciplined approach. Born in 1965 in Heidelberg, he began as a midfielder with Bayern Munich in the 1980s, moved to Cologne, and retired early due to injury before turning to coaching.

His coaching journey started at Viktoria Garching, before moving up to assistant with Joachim Löw for Germany from 2006 to 2014, a period that culminated in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil. He then returned to club football, taking over Bayern Munich in 2019, quickly turning them into a winning machine and delivering a historic sextuple in the 2019-2020 season.

Flick’s high-press, possession-based approach and tactical flexibility allowed him to switch plans during games and helped players reach new peaks, including Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, and Alphonso Davies.

In 2021, he took charge of the German national team, but a less successful 2022 World Cup run led to his departure from the role. Nevertheless, his reputation remains strong in European football circles, keeping him in the conversation for top jobs.

He joined Barcelona in the summer of 2024 with high expectations to restore the club’s European elite status, focusing on building a footballing identity marked by discipline and mental edge. While the start has been uneven, Barça’s management remains convinced of the project and the long-term goal of reestablishing the Blaugrana’s power in Europe.