Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have started the season in rampant form, picking up 10 points from their opening four league fixtures.
The German coach quickly implemented his attacking approach after arriving at Camp Nou last season, focused on central penetration, runners on the last line and quick interchanges around the box.
After scoring 102 goals in La Liga last season, Flick’s side have already netted 13 in their opening four matches this campaign, showing a potential further improvement to their tactical ideas.
Flick has now had over a year to work with his squad, has received further additions such as Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji in attack and looks to be doubling down on his philosophy.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Hansi Flick’s minimum width concept
The idea of minimum width is to have your players in closer proximity inside the opposition half in order to facilitate quick and direct attacks.
Having your forwards in closer proximity allows for quicker combination play, which often leads to more access to the penalty area and therefore more dangerous chances.
It also means you have plenty of bodies centrally for when you lose possession, allowing you to swarm the opposition in the counter press, regain possession and attack directly from the turnover.
As you can see from the average positions map, Raphinha is often close to the centre-forward and attacking midfielder, while Lamine Yamal is slightly further away, being fed the ball in 1v1 isolations.
However, this season, Flick seems even more inclined to bring both wingers narrow at times, having more bodies closer to the penalty area and lots of quick combination play to create chances.
- Barcelona touches in attacking penalty area per game in 2025-26: 39.8
- Barcelona shots per game in 2025-26: 21.5
- Barcelona final third passes completed per game in 2025-26: 179.5
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Barcelona’s “wide” men
Raphinha was perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Flick’s arrival in 2024, scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists in his 57 appearances last season, which saw the Brazilian receive Ballon d’Or shouts.
Flick platformed Raphinha in the best way possible, allowing him to be the primary outlet for his Barcelona side, offering a direct option with relentless running in behind, receiving 11.0 progressive passes per 90 minutes.
Allowing the winger to play narrow, combine in close proximity with his teammates and provide high shot volume closer to goal, saw his goal involvements go through the roof, easily having his best season of senior football.
But Yamal is also finding himself closer to the box and more narrow this season too, averaging 10.0 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90, the third-highest in La Liga.
This has seen the young Spaniard taking more shots per 90 (4.54 to 6.33) in his opening games of the season, scoring twice in three games while also providing two assists.
The new addition of Rashford has also given Flick another option perfect for his tactical philosophy, maximising the best of the English forward’s assets by getting him closer to goal with freedom to run in behind and take plenty of shots.
Barcelona’s attacking wide men could be in for another outstanding season, all chipping in with plenty of goals and assists thanks to the German’s minimal width usage.
- Raphinha touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 6.33
- Yamal touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 10.0
- Rashford touches in opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 10.6
- Raphinha shots per 90 in 2025-26: 4.00
- Yamal shots per 90 in 2025-26: 6.33
- Rashford shots per 90 in 2025-26: 2.2
Fermin Lopez’s role
Not only do the wingers thrive in Flick’s attacking system, but the attacking midfielder is also key, combining centrally, providing off-ball movement to open spaces for others and attacking the last line.
Lopez has already shown he can operate in this role for Flick, making 46 appearances last season, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists.
And this campaign has started brilliantly for the Spanish midfielder, scoring two goals in his opening three games, averaging 6.6 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 (13th highest in La Liga) and taking 2.78 shots per 90.
Lopez’s best trait is his off-ball movement, constantly scanning to take a mental snapshot of the opposition’s defensive line, where the space is and how he can penetrate the last line.
This ties in perfectly with the minimum width concept, having plenty of attacking players in close proximity with him, to combine with quick passes and attack the space in behind directly.
Lopez also offers high intensity in the counter press, making 4.44 ball recoveries per 90, making 2.78 tackles per 90 and 0.56 interceptions.
- Lopez touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 in 2025-26: 6.6
- Lopez shots per 90 in 2025-26: 2.78
- Lopez ball recoveries per 90 in 2025-26: 4.44
In conclusion, Flick seems to be doubling down on his attacking approach utilising quick and direct attacks using the minimum width concept, which will only improve his forward players output and could even see Barcelona eclipse their 102 goals scored last season in La Liga.