With everything on the line in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations to face Atletico Madrid.
Now, according to fresh updates from Mundo Deportivo, the German manager used the latest training session to test a surprising defensive reshuffle.
Against Atletico, the absence of Pau Cubarsi due to suspension has clearly disrupted Barcelona’s defensive planning.
What’s the story?
To address this, Flick explored an alternative setup during training, shifting Jules Kounde into central defence, a role he has not regularly occupied in recent seasons, while deploying Ronald Araujo at right-back.
As part of his usual preparation routine, Flick ran drills with a potential starting XI to simulate match conditions.
In one of those setups, he opted for a defensive line featuring Araujo on the right, Kounde partnering Gerard Martin in central defence, and Joao Cancelo operating on the left.
In midfield, Flick tested a double pivot of Eric Garcia and Pedri, aiming to balance defensive stability with control in possession.
Araujo was tested at the right-back position. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Further forward, Barcelona lined up with an attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Marcus Rashford supporting Robert Lewandowski as the central striker.
Tactical test or mind game?
The big question now is whether this setup was a genuine preview of Flick’s starting XI or simply an experimental drill to evaluate options.
In that context, Kounde’s role is particularly intriguing. After spending extended periods at right-back, the Frenchman being tested centrally suggests Flick is assessing his reliability in a high-stakes scenario.
At the same time, Araujo’s physical presence on the flank could be seen as a direct response to Atletico’s wide threats.
There is also a psychological factor to consider, as training at the Metropolitano means prying eyes are inevitable, and Flick would have been fully aware that Atlético observers could be watching closely.
With Barcelona needing a near-perfect performance to overturn the tie, every tactical decision could prove decisive.
