No more gifts – Hansi Flick changes his strategy with Barcelona substitutions | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made his stance on squad management crystal clear as the team approaches the crucial final stretch of the season.

According to recent reports from SPORT, Flick is prioritising giving game time only to those players he considers essential for the decisive phase, regardless of the match outcome.

This strategic approach indicates that several players may see little to no action on the pitch from now until May. Players like Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati, Andreas Christensen, and Inaki Pena are believed to be among those who could find themselves on the sidelines.

Interestingly, their lack of minutes could also suggest they might be put on the transfer market come June.

Flick wants to keep a core

Since January, Flick has focused on keeping a core group of around 16-17 players active, rotating them to maintain their match sharpness.

Hansi Flick will only rely on his core group. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

These are the players he trusts to deliver results when it matters most. Unfortunately for Ansu, his situation seems particularly difficult.

Despite efforts to improve him during training sessions, he has not been included in Flick’s plans for official matches, making it likely that Barcelona will explore solutions for his future in the summer transfer window.

Homegrown stars in crosshair

Young talents from the club’s academy, such as Pau Victor, Hector Fort, and Gerard Martin, are in a slightly different position.

While they are not currently regulars in the first team, the club views them as valuable assets for the future, and they are expected to have some opportunities to gain experience.

Flick’s approach aims to keep the main group of players in peak condition for the decisive moments of the season. Rotations will continue to be part of the plan to ensure that all essential players are in top form when it counts most.

However, the starting lineup may vary depending on the match requirements, as the coaching staff makes tactical decisions to optimise performance and secure titles.