Flick's rotating pairs: the four Barcelona positions still up for grabs

Barcelona have opened the third chapter of the Hansi Flick era with a relentless version. The team have scored five goals in four of their first five official matches and look remarkably sharp for mid-September, after a summer shaped by the World Cup. Much of that form comes down to a squad built so that nobody can afford to relax.

• Barcelona have scored 22 goals in five games and half have come after the first substitution.
• Four positions have no fixed starter: attacking midfield, pivot, left wing and left-back.
• Fermín and Dani Olmo have shared the attacking midfield role with three and two starts respectively.
• Gerard Martín and Christensen are competing for a place in central defence alongside Cubarsí and Pau.
• Deco and Bojan have designed a squad with every position doubled.

Fermín and Dani Olmo: two elite attacking midfielders for one spot

The most debated area of the starting eleven sits just behind the striker. Fermín has started three matches and Dani Olmo two, but they have shared the pitch in several stretches. At Mestalla, Fermín opened the scoring and provided two assists before making way for Olmo, who added two more assists in the final quarter of an hour.

Flick is managing a delicate balance: two players talented enough to start for any major club in Europe and the need to keep both fully engaged. The solution is constant rotation and the growing influence of substitutions during matches.

Bernal and Rodri: how the pivot rotation eases the physical load

Bernal's outstanding form allows Rodri to avoid piling up high-intensity minutes. The midfield pairing has become another area without a guaranteed starter, with the rotation designed to keep both fresh for the decisive stretches of the season. The coach's trust in both players ensures the team's intensity does not drop when the second option comes on.

The left wing: two explosive profiles rotating without losing pace

On the left flank, Flick has alternated between Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon. The Englishman has three starts and the German two, with different styles but one common thread: raw pace. That quality allows the coach to use them interchangeably and, above all, to profit from their introduction in the second half to keep the energy level extremely high.

Defence is not immune to the competition either

Gerard Martín began the campaign as an undisputed starter in central defence, but Christensen has emerged as a reliable alternative. The Dane started alongside Pau against Feyenoord and his strong display has opened the door to a genuine battle for the role. His ability to give both Gerard and Cubarsí a rest makes him a valuable piece in the rotation.

At left-back, Xavi Espart and Cancelo have shared the minutes. Balde has not entered the equation yet, which reinforces the sense that Flick wants every defender match-ready from the opening month.

Barcelona's substitutes already account for half of the goals

Of the 22 goals the team have scored so far, eleven have come after the first substitution. Starters and substitutes have carried exactly the same scoring weight. Before the first change, Barça scored once against Elche and Athletic and three times against Rayo, Valencia and Feyenoord. With fresh players on the pitch, they added one against Athletic and two against Rayo, Valencia and Feyenoord.

The four goals against Elche come with an asterisk: Gavi was forced off shortly before half-time, which altered the usual comparison between the starting lineup and the impact players.

Frequently asked questions about Flick's rotation at Barcelona