Flick's versatile Barça: Raphinha leads the line and a squad full of tactical pieces

Barcelona has started LaLiga 2026-27 without a traditional number nine after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who combined for 40 goals last season. Hansi Flick has responded with a major tactical move: placing Raphinha as the central striker. The Brazilian, converted from the wing, has already scored three goals in the opening two matchdays and has quieted talk about an urgent need for a new signing.

• Raphinha has scored three goals as a central striker in the first two rounds of LaLiga 2026-27.
• Eric Garcia moves from center-back to right-back, while Gerard Martín holds his place in central defense after breaking through as a left-back.
• Xavi Espart switches flanks and has even played as an interior, while Koundé regains a leading role at center-back.
• Adeyemi offers to play as a number nine and Gordon shines in his debut with two assists in six minutes.
• Flick maximizes the versatility of a squad showing no scoring problems despite losing Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Raphinha as a central striker: three goals that ease the pressure

Raphinha's conversion into a striker is Flick's most visible solution to the lack of goals. His three strikes against Elche and Athletic have justified the faith of the coaching staff in a player who had already shown his scoring instinct from the flank. The captain has not only finished chances: he has also linked up well and drifted wide to allow Fermín and Olmo to arrive in advanced positions. Against Elche, with the match already decided, the coach pushed him back to the right wing to create room for his interiors. Against Athletic, he again led the line, although he failed to find the net.

Defensive versatility: position changes that strengthen the team

Versatility is not limited to the attack. Eric Garcia has shifted from center-back to right-back, Gerard Martín has settled in the middle of defense after breaking into the first team as a left-back, and Xavi Espart, originally seen as competition for Koundé on the right, has moved to the left flank. His level against Athletic was so high that Flick used him occasionally as an interior. Koundé, meanwhile, loses prominence on the wing but gains importance in central defense, a request the Frenchman had made for some time and one the coach himself has acknowledged.

Options in reserve: Christensen, Fariñas and the return of Cancelo

Flick's playbook holds more alternatives yet to be revealed. Christensen already played as a holding midfielder in previous seasons, Brian Fariñas covered the right-back position in emergency moments, and Eric Garcia can also operate as a defensive midfielder. The expected arrival of Cancelo, who can play on either flank, would free Xavi Espart from the left side and return Koundé to the heart of the defense. The firm regeneration carried out by the German coach has produced a compact squad full of tactical pieces.

Attacking options: Adeyemi, Gordon and the young Abdelkarim

Beyond Raphinha, Flick has other offensive resources at his disposal. Adeyemi, who has so far played on the left wing, publicly offered to play as a central striker during his presentation. Gordon, for his part, already filled that role with notable success at Newcastle and his Barcelona debut has been electric: two assists in just six minutes. Egyptian prospect Hamza Abdelkarim, a promising academy goalscorer, represents a natural option who needs time and minutes to grow within the first team.

An attack without anxiety despite losing Lewandowski and Ferran Torres

The exits of Lewandowski and Ferran Torres left a 40-goal void in the Barcelona squad. Doubts about the arrival of a new number nine remain, but Flick has shown he can navigate scarcity with the players at his disposal. Lamine Yamal, though not among the preferred striking options, generated numerous chances against Athletic that Unai Simón thwarted in a superb performance. The German coach shows no signs of concern: rather than forcing signings, he prefers to squeeze the versatility of a regenerated squad that has started the season without scoring problems.

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