We’ve been asking for all your questions about for our new Mailbag and will focus today on formation tweaks, Gavi’s return, and which Barça Atlètic players could still play a part this season.
So without any further ado, let’s get started…
Should Flick play a 4-3-3 with Frenkie as a single pivot just like he did against Celta Vigo whenever Pedri is not available? Perhaps this can also be an option when we have to sub Pedri. Bernal has continued to improve while Eric also remains an option so perhaps
we’re not desperate to try it currently but simply considering the quality that Frenkie brings, surely it’s worth considering. Olmo can also play a slightly different role as his passing and vision are also very good. A 4-3-3 system can be a useful option against some types of teams too. – quantummoyu
Flick has played quite a bit of 4-3-3 lately, or at least a similar version of it with Dani Olmo as a pseudo number 8 and Fermín López playing a little bit closer to the midfield instead of a second striker, but what we actually get in that setup is a very attacking 4-1-4-1 with Frenkie as the single pivot. It worked wonders against Elche recently, but it also asks way too much of Frenkie.
De Jong is at his very best with another double pivot partner, however, which is why Flick’s 4-2-3-1 really brought the best out of him and Pedri together and is probably the best answer going forward even if/when Barça change coaches. I know Barça fans will always have the 4-3-3 in their hearts because it coincided with the best period in the club’s history, but Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta were about as perfect fits as you can possibly get in that system.
Frenkie, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín, Dani Olmo, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal are all hybrid midfielders who have evolved along with the game, and the 4-2-3-1 system is basically the norm for every football team today. All of Barça’s midfielders are best suited in that system given their individual strengths and weaknesses, so I don’t think we’ll see a return of the 4-3-3, at least not on a regular basis.
How much of a role do you think Gavi can play between now and the end of the season? i know he’s been about for such a long time and flick will be super careful but it does look like he’ll be back soon. – gavigavi
A healthy Gavi is the first option off the bench for any of the three starting midfielders, and that versatility is what makes him special. His best moments last season after returning from his first injury came in the double pivot as a partner for either Pedri or Frenkie de Jong, but he exploded in preseason as a number 10 and was mostly playing that role before getting injured again this season.
I don’t really know how much we’ll see of Gavi in big games because he’ll absolutely get the Marc Bernal treatment and be carefully managed to make sure he’s fully fit for next season, but just seeing him back on the pitch and playing for two or three straight months until the end of this season, even if it’s for 5-10 minutes at a time, will be enough for me.
Who from Barça Atletic do you see (if any) getting a few minutes for Flick’s squad this season? – BarcaDESTiny
We have three main candidates: the first is Tommy Marqués, who made his debut against Mallorca and got some pretty nice compliments from Flick after his short cameo. Juan Hernández has also been in recent squads but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be getting a real chance with all the depth in his position (attacking midfield/wing). Jofre Torrents was given good minutes throughout preseason and in minor games earlier this season and seems like the best bet, especially because of Alejandro Balde’s injury risk and Gerard Martín’s mid-season switch to center-back.
That’s all from me today. We will be back soon for the next round of The BB Mailbag. Until then, let us know your questions and thoughts in the comments below!
