One key area where Barcelona have seen massive improvement under Hansi Flick | OneFootball

In recent seasons, set-piece coaches have become a crucial part of football strategy. Clubs like Arsenal have capitalized on this trend, with Nicolas Jover playing a pivotal role in enhancing their effectiveness during dead-ball situations.

FC Barcelona have never been a club particularly known for their threat from set-pieces, but it seems they have added this dimension to their game under Hansi Flick. According to Mundo Deportivo, of the 55 goals scored by the club under Flick, 9 have come from dead-ball situations, including two from the penalty spot.

Against Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona opened the scoring through a free-kick that was expertly taken by Raphinha and headed home by Inigo Martinez. It looked like a well-rehearsed set-piece routine from Hansi Flick’s men.

Their set-piece streak started against Athletic Bilbao in the second matchday in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal finishing from outside the area on a rebound. Against Sevilla, Robert Lewandowski scored from a corner but the star on the night was Pablo Torre who scored a direct free-kick that left everyone baffled.

Of the 55 goals Barcelona scored under Hansi Flick, 34 have come from the penalty area, 11 from the six-yard box, and 10 from outside the area. The German coach has drilled his team to not be afraid to shoot from outside the box, especially with talented long-range shooters like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Pedri.

It’s unclear who takes charge of set-piece routines during training at Barcelona. Unlike Nicolas Jover at Arsenal, there seems to be no clear figure commanding the technical area during dead-ball situations, leaving one to wonder if Hansi Flick is overseeing this aspect of their play as well.

While Barcelona scores plenty of goals from open play, there will inevitably be matches where things don’t go their way, and set-pieces could prove crucial in deciding the difference between a draw and a win.

With skilled set-piece takers like Raphinha in the squad, Barcelona will be hoping to improve further in this area. Only time will tell how it unfolds.