Barcelona manager Hansi Flick called his youthful side “really good” in the first game of his reign against Manchester City and said he wants to emulate the philosophy of Pep Guardiola’s “great” team.
Flick started four teenagers among nine players aged under 23 as Barca twice took the lead in a 2-2 draw against City in Orlando, winning a penalty shoot-out courtesy of two saves from 20-year-old goalkeeper Ander Astralaga, who has never played a competitive senior game.
“We defended together and attacked together – as a team – and that’s what we want,” the German said. “We fought for each other. Maybe in the first half we were too deep; our idea is to be a bit further forward.
“We need more possession but we played against Manchester City… Pep has been there for eight years and we want to do the same as them in terms of philosophy. Maybe a little bit different, but with that idea.”
Flick & Pep: the clip that will make your day. 😍 pic.twitter.com/okR6Ma3O6F
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 31, 2024
Hansi Flick: Barcelona philosophy
When Flick was appointed as club legend Xavi’s successor in May, Barcelona cited the German’s “intense, ambitious high press”.
“The philosophy they have is similar to mine – ball possession and really attacking football,” the 59-year-old said of the club at the time. “These are the things I love.”
The Spanish side are missing 10 players on their US tour through injuries and international commitments, as well as the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Raphinha, who are being given extra time to recover from international tournaments.
A two-time German champion as Bayern Munich manager, Flick will earn a million-euro bonus (around £844,000) at Barcelona if he emulates his 2019/20 Uefa Champions League win with the Bundesliga giants.
🍿 HIGHLIGHTS! 🍿
Barça Beat City in Penalty Shootout Thriller pic.twitter.com/NNK5Wb5fi2— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 31, 2024
“I don’t want to focus on individual names after just one game,” said Flick. “I wasn’t sure we would have that defensive balance, but we did.”
Barcelona fixtures, schedule
Barca face arch-rivals Real Madrid in New Jersey on Sunday (12am BST), then meet Milan in Baltimore on August 7 (12.30am).
They host Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 12 (7pm) before their Liga season starts at Valencia five days later (8.30pm).
Flick is in his first coaching role outside of Germany, having returned to management for the first time since his sacking as boss of his national team in September 2023.
