Flick's Fresh Rotations Spotlight Barca's First-Half Frustrations in Girona Clash

Flick's Rotations Signal Unease with Barca's First Half

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has yet to settle on a reliable starting XI, often making halftime substitutions for tactical reasons, a pattern repeating across the season. Mundo Deportivo notes that Flick has changed the lineup at halftime in eight of nine La Liga games and in eight of 11 matches across all competitions, including Europe, suggesting the coach is not fully convinced by the first 45 minutes.

The report adds these numbers underline that Flick often is not satisfied with the first-half performance from Barca.

In the latest Girona clash (2-1), Barca started with a specific lineup and then Flick pulled Toni Fernandez? with Fermín López at the start of the second half, amid Barca’s ongoing injury woes.

Last season Flick made halftime changes only once in 38 games, replacing Olmo with Ferran Torres against Rayo Vallecano, and the move helped alter the result. He says his decisions depend on what each match requires, and the evidence suggests most rotations come when plans do not go as intended or when a fresh attacking push is needed.

In some cases, substitutions were to rest players, such as against Getafe when Barca led, but the majority were tactical.

Match scenario

The teams refused to start the match in the opening 15 seconds in solidarity with protests against the Miami plan, and the Montjuïc crowd greeted the kick-off with a chorus of whistles.

Barcelona controlled the game early with Lamine Yamal on the right and Marcus Rashford in the middle, while Girona sat deep and looked to hit on the break.

In the 3rd minute Rashford struck a powerful free kick saved by the Girona keeper, and Yamal fired a curler wide after a neat dribble.

Barca kept pressing, while Girona defended stoutly and searched for counters.

In the 13th minute Barca found the lead as Pedri combined with Yamal inside the box and fired a left-footed shot; it hit the post and went in, giving the hosts the lead amid celebratory scenes at Montjuïc.

Barca continued to press, with Rashford and Yamal forcing more chances, while Girona held firm.

Back-to-back twists

By the 20th minute Axel Witsel equalized with a brilliant back-heel finish after an Arnau Martínez header, silencing the stadium. After the leveller, Girona controlled parts of the first half and created chances, with a one-on-one save and a post denying a late lead for the visitors.

Barca answered in the 25th minute with a dangerous shot from Frenkie de Jong, saved by the keeper, and Rashford hit the crossbar with a free kick at 28 minutes, denying a lead for the visitors.

The first half ended 1-1 with an open, entertaining display from both sides.

Second half

At the start of the second half Flick pushed forward with more attacking changes, notably Fermín López who almost scored within two minutes but hit the post at 51.

The Girona goalkeeper again made several saves to keep the score level, and a goal by Barcelona was ruled out for a foul on Eric Garcia at 60.

At 64 Rashford wasted a glorious chance at the edge of the area, and a powerful strike by the keeper denied a 65 threat. At 70 the crowd demanded a penalty after a Rashford tumble, but the referee waved it away amid protests from Flick.

Then, in the 93rd minute, Frenkie de Jong delivered a precise cross and Ronald Araujo rose highest to head home, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win for Barcelona and sparking wild celebrations in the stands.

Punchline 1: If Flick's rotations were a film, they'd be a trilogy with no sequel — suspense, but no clear plot.

Punchline 2: Barca's bench is not a bench; it's a software update schedule — always promising a boost, always needing a restart.