Barcelona continue to struggle in one key aspect due to lack of a specialist | OneFootball

Barcelona’s attacking numbers under Hansi Flick have been impressive this season – 120 goals in 39 matches, averaging over three per game.

Additionally, the team has improved significantly in set-piece situations, scoring 21 goals from dead-ball plays.

After all, the Blaugrana have scored eight penalties (out of nine taken), seven goals from corner kicks and five goals from indirect free kicks.

Direct free-kick issues persist

However, one major weakness remains for Barcelona – direct free kicks.

Since Lionel Messi’s departure, the Blaugrana have failed to establish a true set-piece specialist, leaving countless opportunities wasted.

In the recent Copa del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid, Barça had a prime chance to seal the match with a free kick from 17 meters out, leading 4-2 with 10 minutes to go.

Pablo Torre has scored the only direct free-kick goal for Barcelona this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, instead of taking a direct shot, Raphinha and Lewandowski opted for a pre-planned routine, which went nowhere.

Just two minutes later, Atletico pulled one back, turning the match’s momentum. Barcelona ultimately drew 4-4, missing an opportunity to kill the tie.

A team without a free-kick specialist

A club of Barcelona’s calibre should not be without a reliable free-kick taker. This season, the team has scored just one direct free-kick goal from 23 attempts.

The only successful effort came from Pablo Torre against Sevilla, a long-range strike that went in simply because no one got a touch on it. The youngster has fallen off the radar in recent weeks and barely plays now.

Raphinha, despite 42 attempts since joining Barça (including 18 this season under Flick), has yet to score from a direct free kick. While Pedri has been seen scoring free kicks in training, he has never attempted one in a match.

Just as Barcelona have improved in corners and indirect free-kick situations this season, Flick & co. will hope to develop a specialist for direct free-kicks.