Flick on the four against Sevilla: Barcelona are different now, and the Madrid derby doesn't concern us
**Core answer**: Hansi Flick, in his pre-match press conference before La Liga Round 7, stated Barcelona must counter Sevilla's man-marking and direct pressing with rapid ball circulation and side-to-side switches, refusing to discuss the winning streak or the Madrid derby. (≤60 words) **Key facts**: - Barcelona have won 6 consecutive matches in La Liga (Rounds 1–6). - Sevilla lost 1-4 to Barcelona at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán last season. - Flick called for quick passing and constant movement to break Sevilla's press. - The Madrid derby (Atlético vs Real Madrid) takes place the day after the Sevilla match. - Flick emphasized "every match starts at 0-0" to manage expectations. (≤25 words each) **Source attribution**: Goal.com (citing AS), press conference on September 22, 2024 | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn **Related Q&A**: - Q: What tactical approach did Flick outline against Sevilla? A: He emphasized quick circulation, side-to-side switches, and releasing to the flanks to counter man-marking. - Q: How does Barcelona's perfect start affect the title race? A: The 6/6 start puts pressure on rivals, but the Sevilla fixture is a 'trap venue' given last season's 4-1 defeat. - Q: Why did Flick avoid discussing the Madrid derby? A: He aimed to insulate the squad from distraction, focusing solely on the Sevilla match.
People often talk about Barcelona's resurgence as a fairy tale. But look at the facts: this team has just won 6 consecutive matches, and ahead of them lies a trip to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán — where they lost 1-4 last season. Hansi Flick, in his press conference before La Liga Round 7, did not mention the winning streak, did not mention the Madrid derby between Atlético and Real Madrid taking place just a day later. Instead, he spoke about something far more specific: how to break Sevilla's terrifying pressing game.
Sevilla, according to Flick, is a team that defends through man-marking and direct pressing. They will press Barcelona in every position on the pitch. This is not a match where squad quality decides everything. This is a pure tactical duel: a possession team against a team designed to break that possession.
Flick's solution is not a new idea, but it is precisely targeted. He asks his players to pass the ball quickly, especially in their own half, and to constantly switch the attack from one flank to the other. This is the classic formula against man-marking: when the opponent marks man-to-man, the free man emerges from passing faster than the markers can re-orient. Flick understands this, and he said it clearly: "never stop moving".
But saying is easier than doing. In a match where Sevilla presses right from Barcelona's half, just one slow or static player can collapse the entire circulation structure. This is why this match cannot be judged by the league table. Sevilla may not be title contenders, but they are a 'giant-killer' in the truest sense for possession-based teams.
What's interesting is how Flick handles public pressure. He refuses to talk about the Madrid derby, refuses to talk about the seventh consecutive win. Instead, he repeats that "every match starts at 0-0". This is a classic expectation-management technique: when the media is pushing the narrative to its peak, the coach pulls it back down to the ground. The gap between how Flick speaks and how the headlines reflect it is significant. The headline says Barcelona are 'different now', but Flick himself is trying to convince his players that they are no different than before — they just need to focus on one match at a time.
Is this a risky tactic? Possibly. But Flick has posed a question worth asking: if Barcelona cannot circulate the ball faster than Sevilla can move, then the seventh consecutive win will be nothing but a meaningless number. And if they lose at the very place where they lost 1-4 last season, the 'different' narrative will collapse immediately, replaced by the 'same as before' narrative.
Saturday night at the Sánchez Pizjuán will not just be a match. It is a test of whether Barcelona truly understands what Flick is saying, or whether they are just enjoying the winning streak before facing the harshest reality: a team designed to counter them.