Hansi Flick’s strategy behind handing Barcelona captain a surprise start against CD Guadalajara – report | OneFootball

Hansi Flick’s decision to start Marc-Andre ter Stegen against CD Guadalajara was far from accidental. 

In fact, according to a report from AS, the Barcelona manager had a very specific objective in mind when he made that call, one that went beyond the result of a Copa del Rey tie.

The German coach wanted to place Ter Stegen firmly in the spotlight. After months of recovery from a lower back injury, Flick felt this was the right moment to publicly show that the goalkeeper was fully fit again. 

At the same time, he needed to manage the situation carefully inside the dressing room, particularly when it came to the club’s first captain.

Conversation with the players

In the build-up to the game, most of the squad expected Wojciech Szczesny to get the nod. That had been the internal feeling within the group. 

However, Flick held conversations with both goalkeepers just hours before kick-off and ultimately opted to start Ter Stegen. 

Flick decided to pick Ter Stegen for the Guadalajara clash. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The decision surprised many, but it was rooted in careful planning rather than impulse.

Flick was fully aware of how delicate the situation was. Ter Stegen remains one of the most influential figures in the squad, not just because of his status, but because his voice carries weight in the dressing room. 

Flick did not want to risk frustration or objections from the captain, especially after a long injury layoff that had already tested the goalkeeper’s patience.

Flick – The mastermind

Choosing the Copa del Rey was key. Flick believed it would have been too risky to reintroduce Ter Stegen directly in La Liga or the Champions League, competitions where Joan Garcia is currently established as the first-choice goalkeeper. 

By giving Ter Stegen minutes now, Flick removed any doubts surrounding his physical condition. 

If Barcelona had delayed the decision, clubs monitoring the goalkeeper ahead of the winter window may have questioned whether he was truly ready to compete at the highest level.

In one move, Flick protected harmony within the squad, reassured his captain, and clarified Ter Stegen’s status.