FLICK MUST MAKE A KEY ADJUSTMENT TO HIS SCHEME
The pending task for Hansi Flick's Barça in their 'almost' perfect start to the season
Published:10/09/2024 - 19:51h
Updated:11/09/2024 - 04:37h
Flick's Barça have managed to reverse last season's offensive parameters. The Blaugrana are more effective in front of the opposing goal and have scored more goals than they should have, although in defence the number of goals conceded is slightly higher than expected
Effectiveness is starting to become one of the main pillars of Hansi Flick's new project at FC Barcelona. The team led by the German coach has scored more than it should have, as demonstrated by the parameter that measures the relationship between the danger of the chances generated and the goals scored. In fact, compared to the start of the season last year, the data is completely opposite, which shows a significant improvement in this aspect.
In their first four league games, in which they have achieved four victories, the Catalans have scored 13 goals: two against Valencia, Athletic and Rayo and seven against Valladolid. According to data from 'Sofascore', the team led by the German generated 11.23 expected goals, which translated into current language, means that they saw more goals than expected, increasing the levels of effectiveness in attack.
However, the Barcelona players must make some adjustments in defence. According to the aforementioned source, Flick's men have conceded more goals than they were 'allowed' to. Marc-André Ter Stegen has conceded three goals, while they should have conceded 2.93 goals in expected goals. A minimal difference that Hansi will almost certainly correct in the coming weeks.
Flick has reversed the trend
These numbers are completely opposite to those of last season, where in the first four games of the season, Xavi's Barça had scored less (8) than they had generated (10.04), although they had also conceded less (4) than they 'deserved' (4.35). For now, Flick has turned the situation around, making clear the importance of maintaining a significant percentage of effectiveness in order to aspire to all the titles. The team's main objective is none other than to keep the rivals' expected goals so low when they are top-level, a factor that will come into play in the coming weeks with the start of the Champions League. For the moment, Hansi continues to demonstrate that the excitement generated around his team is more than justified.
