Football News
Valverde compares Flick and Xavi's styles after Barca win!
Former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has had the opportunity to meet two different Barcelona coaches in the space of six months, with the most recent coming against Hansi Flick in Barca's 2-1 win over his side Athletic Bilbao.
Knowing Barcelona's style of play well, Valverde was asked about the differences between Flick's methods and those of his predecessor, Xavi Hernandez. Valverde explained that while Barca's style of play remains recognisable, there are notable distinctions between the two coaches.
He stressed that Flick favoured a game behind space, with a more detail-oriented approach. For example, in that match, Flick had fielded almost two strikers, with Raphinha playing in midfield, a different tactical variation to what would have been seen under Xavi.
Valverde also noted that Flick's changes were subtle, pointing to the substitution of Pedri for Casado in the Valencia game. Despite those tactical tweaks, he played down the idea that Flick had really surprised him, saying the system remained relatively similar.
Hansi Flick, with his promising start and two consecutive victories at Barça, nevertheless finds himself facing the pressure of having to match Xavi Hernandez's record, notably by winning La Liga, which represents a huge challenge for the German coach.
As for Valverde, although he was often criticised for his pragmatic style of play during his time at Barcelona, he remains one of the club's most successful coaches with two La Liga titles to his name. Today, he continues to achieve impressive results with Athletic Bilbao, including leading them to a 5th-place finish in La Liga and winning the Copa del Rey.