How Hansi Flick has slightly tweaked the Barcelona system following the addition of Rodri | OneFootball

Barcelona’s coup to sign Rodri from Manchester City was perhaps one of the club’s most important moves in the transfer market since the addition of Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski.

The club masterfully took advantage of the market opportunity to sign one of the best players on the planet and a top contender for the Ballon d’Or. They did not only sign him but also prevented the possibility of him joining a direct rival in Real Madrid.

One month into the new season, Rodri’s integration into the team has been slow and steady, with Hansi Flick in no rush. The German, however, has made slight tweaks in his setup to ensure Barcelona get the most out of Rodri’s abilities.

Flick’s little tweak to include Rodri

Rodri is still integrating into the Barcelona system. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As reported by Diario SPORT, Flick has modified his system slightly to accommodate Rodri, combining the 4-2-3-1 with the 4-3-3 during matches.

The idea is rather simple. To extract the best from Rodri, the Spaniard must operate primarily just ahead of the defence, with the central area reserved for him.

That adjustment has pushed the likes of Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Gavi and Marc Bernal into more advanced, offensive interior roles.

Pedri, for instance, is now stepping into the box more frequently and arriving in the finishing zone, while Fermin operates as an interior on the right and behind the front line.

Olmo and Gavi are being asked to perform similar functions, giving Barcelona greater attacking thrust from midfield.

The one player likely to suffer from Rodri’s arrival is Frenkie de Jong, given the similarity in their specific roles.

What Rodri brings to the team

Rodri has been a solid addition to the Barcelona midfield. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As the best in the world in his position, he possesses an innate talent for selecting the right pass, dictating tempo and controlling the rhythm of a game.

His vision is excellent, always geared towards breaking lines and penetrating defences, and he excels at decongesting play against deep-lying opponents.

Defensively, Rodri adds containment and recovery, rarely rushing and showing sharp anticipation to win the ball back.

He can even fill in at centre-back if required, while also offering an attacking threat with his powerful, precise shooting and aerial ability in both boxes.

Perhaps most importantly, Rodri brings balance and authority, qualities that make him a natural leader on the pitch and in the dressing room.

With his experience on the biggest stages, he could well become Flick’s on-field general, and Barcelona now look an even more fearsome proposition across all competitions.