Hansi Flick sends clear message to Barcelona players with Levante selection | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick proved once again that his treble-winning side will not rest on old reputations.

Against Levante, Flick made bold choices in his starting XI, sending a strong message that every role in the team is up for grabs.

Two decisions stood out the most. Marcus Rashford was given a starting spot on the left wing, forcing Raphinha into a central playmaking role.

Meanwhile, Eric Garcia was preferred at right-back, leaving Jules Kounde on the bench despite his contract renewal being one of the week’s main headlines.

It was not the first time Flick left the Frenchman out, as he had already been replaced in Mallorca, and the German coach felt no reason to change what worked.

Then there is Olmo

Another surprising call involved Dani Olmo, who has been a substitute in both of Barcelona’s opening La Liga matches.

At Mallorca, Flick handed Fermin Lopez a start, while against Levante, he reshuffled his entire attack to test new dynamics.

Dani Olmo appeared as a substitute against Levante. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

Small muscle issues during pre-season appear to have slowed Olmo’s rhythm, and Flick is easing him back cautiously.

The German has been vocal in the past about his frustration with Olmo’s recurring injuries, which have prevented the midfielder from gaining the consistency Flick demands.

Still, when introduced in the second half, Olmo made a noticeable difference. His ability to break down Levante’s low block gave Barça the creative spark they needed in difficult moments.

A battle for the playmaker role

Looking ahead, Barcelona’s next test comes against Rayo Vallecano, and Flick’s midfield puzzle remains unsolved.

Since pre-season, he has experimented with Fermin, Olmo, Raphinha, and even youngster Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez in the attacking midfielder role.

While Frenkie de Jong and Pedri have cemented their places in the deeper positions, the third midfield slot is still wide open.

Amidst all this, for the rest of the Barcelons squad, the message is clear that nobody’s role is guaranteed, and only performance will keep them in Flick’s plans.