Mbappe arrived but Barcelona evolved: Flick’s tactical triumph over Real Madrid’s Galactico attack | OneFootball

Not all that glitters is gold.

Many in the footballing world perceived Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid as the ringing of the death knell, a moment to fully crush Barcelona’s aspirations of returning to Europe’s elite.

One look at the league table this season, however, tells a different story. While Barça’s lead over Real Madrid stands at just three points, the real measure of their superiority lies in the goal difference.

Barça have scored 20 more goals than the team that was, not too long ago, heralded for harbouring the most threatening attack in Europe. And they have done so without the same glittering names.

Structure and cohesion continue to be the primary building blocks of any successful side. The achievements of Barcelona’s frontline strengthen that notion.

Here, we delve into the underlying reasons behind Barcelona’s relentless scoring season.

High risk, high reward

It is well documented that Hansi Flick has formed a highly direct team that likes to break lines with fast, progressive passes centrally. But everything starts with their high defensive line, which compresses the pitch.

This compact shape, combined with relentless pressing, fuels their transitions and allows them to win the ball high up the pitch.

The effectiveness of this approach is clear. In the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Barça recorded 16 counterpresses against Benfica—the highest of any team in the round—while Real Madrid and Atletico managed just seven across 120 minutes.

Instead of resetting, Barça strike instantly, turning defensive recoveries into immediate attacking opportunities.

Once in possession, they remain just as aggressive. Rather than mindlessly flooding the box with numbers or resorting to hopeful crosses and long balls, Barcelona focus on precision.

The goal is to put their forwards in high-value positions rather than continually asking them to pull a rabbit out of their hat. This is where the Catalans’ technical core (Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo) becomes invaluable.

Their abilities in tight spaces, exploit spaces and dismantle compact defences through quick passing ensure that attackers receive the ball in optimal conditions.

Stagnant circulation is replaced by endless movements in and out of possession. As a result, the system sets up the front three to thrive.

Dominating the charts. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha’s lives are made even easier when they have some of the best in the business operating behind them.

After all, no central midfielder has won possession more times (180) or created more chances from open play (48) than Pedri in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

Complementary profiles

When looking at Barcelona’s front three in isolation, it is clear that all three of Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha perfectly feed off of each other.

Yamal thrives as an inside forward, excelling in the right half-space where he can dictate play as a creator.

His passing range is incredibly diverse, reflected in his 46 open-play chances created, which is the most by any U-21 player in Europe’s top five leagues. His ability to cut inside and act as both a playmaker makes him a nightmare for defenders.

Lewandowski aids the team with his hold-up play and remains unmatched with his poaching instincts.

Although he occasionally squanders simple chances, his ability to create separation from defenders and consistently find himself in scoring positions has resulted in an exemplary 40 goals across all competitions this season.

Raphinha completes the trio with his versatility, but most crucially, as a direct runner. While Yamal and Lewandowski prefer the ball at their feet, Raphinha’s movement into space makes him indispensable in transitional play.

His goals against Bayern Munich and several of his Champions League strikes highlight his ability to exploit defences with well-timed runs.

By curving his movements behind defenders, exploiting their blindside, and peeling off their shoulders, he frequently finds himself on the receiving end of passes from Yamal or Pedri.

As such, Flick has maximized each forward’s strengths by placing them in roles that suit their natural tendencies.

Rather than isolating Raphinha out wide and burdening him with excessive dribbling duties, he is given the freedom to drift inside and capitalize on counterattacks.

Thriving under Flick. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

That said, their roles are not rigid. Each player has the versatility to contribute beyond their primary functions.

Yamal, for instance, can just as seamlessly operate as a traditional touchline winger, break ankles in one-on-one situations, or make incisive runs behind.

Raphinha, on the other hand, is more than just a runner: he has also been a prolific creator, having created a remarkable 76 chances in La Liga this season.

Finally, Flick has also made the most of his squad depth, particularly by availing the strengths of Ferran Torres off the bench.

Against high lines, chaotic game-states, and when chasing a lead, Ferran’s ability to make runs and press defences is often more suited than Lewandowski’s.

In fact, the Spaniard is averaging a goal every 81 minutes this season, which is the best ratio in Europe’s top 5 leagues.

This shows Flick understands the value of different profiles and how each is tailored for specific game states.

Why Real Madrid have struggled to achieve similar success

Real Madrid boast several superstar names – Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. But, their system does not always optimize their individual strengths.

One of the most notable clashes in profile is between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., both of whom thrive in similar zones and prefer making identical off-the-ball runs.

While Carlo Ancelotti is a master at granting his stars freedom, this often leads to the Merengues relying on isolated moments of brilliance rather than an identifiable blueprint.

Real Madrid got Mbappe, but Barcelona got the goals (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

This unpredictability can be enough to decide games, but it is not always sustainable. Moreover, the fluidity of interchanging positions offers a dynamic style, yet it can also lead to structural imbalances that leave the team exposed at the back.

Additionally, Madrid’s overall approach is less attack-driven than Barcelona’s. They do not operate with the same relentless high line nor apply constant pressure for the full 90 minutes. Instead, they choose their moments, favouring pragmatism over all-out aggression.

Even then, Real Madrid are the Spanish team to have conceded the third most goals in all competitions this season (56).

This indicates that even with their approach, Barça’s emphasis on attack has given them a clear identity and indirectly helped their defence too.

Conclusion

In a season where headlines were dominated by Real Madrid’s blockbuster signings and star power, Barcelona have quietly crafted a compelling counter-narrative.

Under Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana have embraced structure over spectacle.

While Real Madrid’s acquisition of Mbappe was meant to signal a new era of dominance, it is Barcelona’s fluid, high-intensity system that has captured the imagination and, more importantly, delivered results.

With each passing week, Flick’s philosophy has unlocked the full potential of a balanced and dynamic frontline – one that thrives not on names, but on cohesion, clarity, and tactical precision.

In the end, it is not always the brightest lights that shine the longest. As the numbers show, Barcelona have not only kept pace – they have taken the lead, leaving their arch-rivals behind.

*Stats and numbers as on La Liga Matchday 29