Espanyol – Barcelona: Flick Finds Midfield Control With Fermín (0-2)

This was a tough game for Barcelona, with Espanyol’s compact 4-4-2 shape initially hard to break down, and the home side’s direct attack causing problems. Hansi Flick was able to change the shape of the game in the second half through his substitutions though, earning more midfield control before Fermín Lopez provided two excellent assists.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Barcelona sat at the top of La Liga at the turn of the year, having won every league game since their El Clasico defeat back in October. Espanyol themselves were also in a good run of form coming into this Catalan Derby, having won five La Liga matches on the bounce.

The home side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a back four of Omar El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, and Carlos Romero. Urko González de Zárate and Pol Lozano partnered in central midfield, while Tyrhys Dolan and Pere Milla played wide. Edu Expósito and Roberto Fernández then played up front.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side meanwhile started in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, and Alejandro Balde made up the backline, with Eric García and Frenkie de Jong in the double pivot. Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford started on the wings, with Raphinha supporting Ferran Torres in the center of attack.

Barca attack the wings

The basic pattern of this game saw Barcelona attempting to overcome the compact 4-4-2 mid-block of Espanyol. The home side left little space between the lines and also . . .