How Hansi Flick destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 with six La Masia starters | OneFootball

In a dominant display at the Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona cruised to a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid.

This decisive win was not just another victory in the books; it was a showcase of Barcelona’s youth talent, with six players from the club’s renowned La Masia academy starting on the pitch.

Hansi Flick’s tactical plan effectively dismantled Real Madrid’s usual strengths, giving fans a glimpse of what Barcelona’s future could look like. Here’s a breakdown of how each of these young players contributed to Barcelona’s emphatic win.

Alejandro Balde – Precision on the flanks

Alejandro Balde was a reliable outlay for Barcelona. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Alejandro Balde made a significant impact, proving to be more than just a reliable presence on the flank. His skill on the left side consistently caused trouble for Madrid’s defenders and he was solid defensively as well.

His most memorable moment came when he delivered a precise cross into the box, setting up Robert Lewandowski for his second goal.

This assist was not just a routine pass; Balde showcased remarkable accuracy, bending the ball perfectly to meet Lewandowski’s position in the box.

His movement off the ball also helped Barcelona stretch Madrid’s defence, creating more space for his teammates to exploit.

Pau Cubarsi – Composure in defence

Pau Cubarsi was rock solid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Pau Cubarsi faced immense pressure, playing in one of the most challenging fixtures for any young player. Yet, he handled the high stakes with impressive calm and maturity.

One of the standout aspects of Cubarsi’s game was his role in Barcelona’s defensive setup, especially in maintaining a strong offside trap.

His awareness and discipline kept Real Madrid’s forwards frustrated, denying them the chance to capitalise on several attacking moves.

Cubarsi showed he could be counted on in intense situations, offering a glimpse into his potential to become a reliable defender for Barcelona.

Marc Casado – The midfield anchor

Marc Casado anchored the midfield. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Marc Casado was the team’s heartbeat in midfield. His role as a central anchor ensured that Barcelona could control the tempo of the game.

He not only excelled defensively, breaking up Real Madrid’s attacks, but his ball distribution added another layer to Barcelona’s game. His passing was precise, and he often linked up with Pedri to keep the ball moving.

Casado also looked to break the lines with a few long-range passes, attempting to open up Real Madrid’s defensive structure.

His work off the ball was as crucial as his contributions on it, covering gaps and helping Barcelona maintain their defensive shape, making it clear that he is a player to watch.

Fermin Lopez – A mixed impact

Fermin Lopez did not have the desired impact. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Fermin Lopez struggled to replicate the impact he made in previous matches, particularly his memorable performance against Bayern Munich.

While his movement and tactical awareness were sound, he wasn’t able to find the spaces needed to break down Real Madrid’s defence.

Now, it was not a poor performance, but the midfielder did not quite fit the tactical setup Flick had devised for this game.

Lamine Yamal – Sparking the attack

Lamine Yamal scored a fantastic goal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal played a key role in Barcelona’s forward line. He demonstrated an improved defensive work rate, positioning himself deeper when needed and attempting to support his teammates with defensive cover.

One of his standout moments came in the first half when he created a one-on-one opportunity, though he couldn’t convert it into a goal.

His persistence paid off in the second half, however, when he scored a sensational goal from an extremely tight angle with his right foot. Among the Barcelona players, he attempted the most number of shots (4) and also made two tackles.

Inaki Pena – A rock between the posts

Inaki Pena kept a cleansheet. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Inaki Pena delivered a strong performance, making several crucial saves that kept Real Madrid from finding any rhythm. Throughout the match, he thwarted goal attempts from Real Madrid’s key players, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

His composure under pressure and shot-stopping ability were crucial to Barcelona’s clean sheet, having made a total of four saves.