Barcelona hasn't reached the semi-finals since 2019 and faced a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern in 2020, while Flick was in charge in Germany. The five-time Champions League winners last lifted the trophy in 2015, and failing to make an impact this season would mark a decade of underachievement.
Flick’s Barcelona has started La Liga impressively, securing nine victories and just one defeat in ten matches, with a remarkable 33 goals scored. Their recent 5-1 win over Sevilla showcased their attacking prowess ahead of the Bayern match and the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid.
Earlier this month, Barcelona dominated Young Boys with a 5-0 victory in the Champions League, bouncing back from a 2-1 defeat to Monaco in their opener.
Flick, who led Bayern to a sextuple in 2020, has rapidly rejuvenated a Barcelona side that won nothing last season under Xavi Hernandez, despite several key injuries. Gavi recently returned from a severe knee injury, while Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-André ter Stegen, and others are either sidelined or just coming back.
One of the most notable changes has been the resurgence of former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski. Flick has supported the Polish forward despite his struggles last season, and he has responded with 14 goals in 12 matches across all competitions. “Robert is an absolute professional, working hard on his fitness—this physique is remarkable for his age,” Flick said earlier this season. “Scoring is his job, and he’s been excelling at it for years.”
Flick has given Raphinha and Lamine Yamal the freedom to roam in attack and has pushed the entire team higher up the pitch, allowing Lewandowski to occupy the box more effectively. He’s getting more opportunities than he did for much of last season, and with his confidence soaring, he’s capitalizing on them.
However, Flick emphasized that the matchup against Bayern wouldn’t solely revolve around Lewandowski and Harry Kane. “It’s never just about individual players; it’s a team effort,” he remarked. “Robert’s goals are crucial for us, and his connection with the other players is vital for the team's success.”
Flick’s Barcelona appears fitter, with players putting in hard work during training and maintaining their stamina throughout matches. “The new fitness coaches have been great for us; we’re working hard, and it shows in games,” Pedri noted in September. “The team holds its fitness levels beyond the 70th or 80th minute.”
Barcelona is also pressing with greater intensity, which enhances their defensive capabilities. “It’s essential that not only the defense is involved, but all players contribute to pressing,” Flick explained. “We need to apply pressure on the ball.”
Raphinha’s work rate has been crucial for the team, and Marc Casado has proven to be a standout in midfield, stepping up after the club was unable to sign a pivot during the summer transfer window. Despite limited financial resources, Barcelona added Dani Olmo, who has also missed several weeks due to injury and will start on the bench against Bayern.