In Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Monaco, Cricket BD analysts observed that coach Hansi Flick experienced his first defeat at the helm of the Catalan club. While the loss was partially due to injuries and squad instability, Flick’s lineup decisions raised questions. Notably, instead of using Ferran Torres on the left wing after Dani Olmo’s absence, he opted to start García — a choice that caught many by surprise. The more conventional adjustment would’ve been to move Raphinha to central midfield and shift Pedri deeper, while deploying Ferran or Fati out wide — a tactic Flick had employed earlier in the season.

Cricket BD experts believe Flick was reluctant to sacrifice Raphinha’s attacking threat. His ability to aggressively penetrate the box has become a key asset for Barcelona’s offense. In fact, the team’s best chance in the second half came when goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen launched a long pass to the right flank, where Koundé set up Yamal, leading to a dangerous cross. Unfortunately, Raphinha missed the resulting opportunity inside the box.

Flick’s overreliance on Raphinha as a focal point backfired. Though the Brazilian winger has the drive and work rate, he lacks the pure finishing instinct of a natural striker like Loïs Openda or a prime Samuel Eto’o. In one pivotal sequence, a 3-on-1 advantage broke down when Raphinha’s final pass failed to connect. While Raphinha contributed plenty of running and duels in earlier matches, fatigue and Monaco’s athleticism limited his impact this time around.

With Olmo sidelined, Raphinha has become Barça’s only consistent off-ball attacker and has also been tasked with sharing striker duties alongside Lewandowski. Against Monaco, his underwhelming performance underscored the risk of overburdening a single player. If Flick lacks confidence in Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati to step up, Raphinha’s injury could unravel the entire system.

At the start of the season, García was already on the bench while Flick experimented with two youth players from Barça B. That decision alone hinted at Flick’s assessment of García’s limited ability. Yet, in a surprise move, García was deployed in midfield against Monaco — a tactical gamble that quickly backfired. His poor positioning contributed to a defensive error, and his slow recovery forced him into a foolish foul despite the goalkeeper already rushing out to cover. García’s weak athleticism and poor turning speed made him a liability in the defensive midfield role.

Following this misstep, it’s unlikely Flick will trust García in that position again. Meanwhile, the first goal Barça conceded highlighted another issue: Pedri, playing deeper than usual, couldn’t apply enough pressure on Monaco’s Akliouche. This wasn’t solely Pedri’s fault; rather, it exposed the team’s lack of physical presence in defensive midfield. With Barça using a double-pivot system instead of three central midfielders, each player must cover more ground — a task that demands physical strength.

The return of Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen is crucial to restoring balance in midfield. Without them, Barça’s defensive spine remains exposed, and the team’s structure suffers. Still, when fully healthy, this current squad might be the strongest since Joan Laporta returned as president. Cricket BD believes they have the talent to push for a Champions League semifinal run.

However, maintaining fitness across a long season will be a major challenge. Injuries in key areas could create a domino effect, triggering more physical strain and risk across the squad. As always in football, it’s not just about the quality of the lineup — it’s about how long you can keep that lineup intact.