Hansi Flick’s untouchables – The backbone of Barcelona’s recent form | OneFootball

Barcelona have found themselves in the middle of a relentless run of fixtures, and Hansi Flick has had to make tough decisions when it comes to managing his squad.

Since the March international break, the Catalan club have played 13 games in just 40 days — a mix of La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey clashes — and the toll has clearly been demanding.

Yet despite this punishing schedule, three players have proven absolutely untouchable: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal.

All three have featured in every single one of these 13 matches, highlighting just how important they have become in Flick’s tactical setup and overall vision for the team.

While other squad members have been rotated or sidelined through injury, this trio has remained ever-present.

Pedri: Mr. reliable

Pedri is undroppbale for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Among the three, Pedri’s consistency has been unmatched. The midfielder started 12 of the 13 games, with the only exception coming in the second leg against Borussia Dortmund, where he came off the bench.

Despite Barcelona’s heavy match load, Flick has trusted Pedri to provide control, intelligence, and calmness in the centre of the park, something he has delivered time and again.

His capacity to dictate the tempo and link play between midfield and attack has made him irreplaceable.

Lamine Yamal: Holding his ground

Lamine Yamal is indeed priceless. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

For 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, this spell has been nothing short of remarkable. The young winger started 11 of the 13 games, only beginning on the bench against Celta Vigo and Real Valladolid.

But even in those matches, he ended up playing at least 30 minutes. In the Valladolid fixture, a first-half injury to Dani Rodriguez forced Yamal into action before the half-hour mark, meaning his “rest” was cut drastically short.

Yamal’s ability to influence matches from the flank — with pace, creativity, and composure beyond his years — has made it impossible for Flick to leave him out for long.

Even as other attackers have been rested or rotated, Yamal has continued to deliver game after game, offering Barça much-needed width and directness.

De Jong: Managed with caution

Frenkie de Jong has been a consistent presence for Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Frenkie de Jong’s involvement has been slightly more measured. While he has featured in all 13 games, he started nine and came off the bench in four: against Girona, Leganes, Mallorca, and Valladolid.

Flick seems to be aware of the Dutchman’s injury history and is clearly trying to strike a balance, keeping him fresh while still benefiting from his versatility and ball progression.

With the El Clasico looming this Sunday, all signs point to these three once again starting in what could be the most crucial game of the season.

If they do feature, as expected, it will mark 14 matches in just 45 days, a staggering workload that few players could handle.

While Flick has made efforts to rotate his squad, giving rests to other key players either through choice or due to injury, the reliance on Pedri, Yamal, and De Jong is impossible to ignore.

Their importance in this crucial phase of the season has underlined the lack of equivalent depth in their respective roles.