It is a fact that FC Barcelona has once again become a high-profile and dominant team, and for good reason. Tactically, Hansi Flick’s work in maximizing each player’s potential across different lines is evident in every match and competition. So much so that in LaLiga, they remain at the top of the table, while in the Champions League, they are emerging as one of the favorites to win the title.

But what have been the keys to this team’s success? There are many factors, but today, I will focus on two players who have been fundamental to the great form the Blaugrana are experiencing. Despite playing in the same position, their different characteristics have made Barcelona’s attack one of the most effective in today’s football. Of course, I am referring to Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

We will start with the youngest, Lamine Yamal, who, at just 17 years old, plays with the maturity of a seasoned professional. His attributes make him one of the most promising talents with immense potential for the future.

Here are three individual fundamentals that stand out in every match:

Lamine Yamal

1. Attacking the defender 1v1 in situations of spatial advantage

Lamine is a daring and skillful dribbler. He thrives in 1v1 duels when he detects enough space, either inside or outside, behind his direct defender. More often than not, he comes out on top, making him one of the most dangerous wide players in football.

His exceptional technical ability, particularly with his left foot, combined with his body control, makes him nearly unstoppable.

2. Crossing into the most advantageous space for the striker

Lamine Yamal has been one of the most influential players in Barcelona’s goal-scoring opportunities. One of the main reasons for this is his outstanding crossing technique.

The La Masia graduate has mastered the optimal crossing zones, allowing him to deliver the ball precisely where his teammate will have the most time and space to finish. Additionally, the number 17 executes crosses with great precision, excelling in his ability to use the “outside of the foot” technique. His accuracy enables him to deliver lofted, driven, or cut-back crosses into the right area, whether to the penalty spot or another strategic zone.

3. Fixing the defender to enable an overlapping teammate

This is one of his most evident characteristics when Barcelona attacks down the right flank. Thanks to his tactical understanding and synergy with his teammates, he has developed a great connection with right-back Jules Koundé.

It is common to see that when Lamine attacks defenders in 1v1 situations and fixes them, Koundé makes a forward run to overlap, creating a numerical advantage. From there, their coordinated movements and quick combinations often result in dangerous situations for the team.

Raphinha

On the other hand, we have Raphinha, who, unlike Lamine Yamal, does not fit the stereotype of a typical Brazilian dribbler who constantly takes on defenders. Instead, his game is characterized by his speed, vision, and a powerful, precise shot.

Thanks to Hansi Flick’s tactical setup, he has found great freedom to move not only on the right wing but also into central areas as an attacking midfielder. This allows him to take advantage of second balls and rebounds inside the box, which has helped him enjoy one of his best goal-scoring seasons for the team.

Just like Lamine Yamal, here are three of Raphinha’s most frequent individual behaviors on the pitch:

1. Generating advantages through body-oriented control

This is one of Raphinha’s standout qualities. When receiving the ball, he positions his body to direct the ball toward the most advantageous space, enabling him to progress in play. For instance, he may direct his control toward the defender to engage them when there is enough distance to create an advantage or opt for a safe control to protect the ball and keep possession.

Thanks to his correct execution of this fundamental, along with his impressive speed, he has become Barcelona’s primary outlet in counterattacks. This has allowed him to score crucial goals, such as the 4-5 winner in the 95th minute against Benfica in the Champions League group stage or his hat-trick against Bayern Munich.

2. Looking for the defenders’ backs

Another one of Raphinha’s specialties is moving the attack forward through diagonal and deep runs behind the defensive line. Many times, this not only allows him to progress in the play but also positions him directly in front of goal, where his technical skills enable him to finish clinically.

By analyzing the execution of this fundamental, we can see how the Brazilian has mastered the timing of his runs relative to his teammate’s pass, allowing him to avoid offside. Additionally, he maintains an optimal distance from the defender, ensuring they lose visual reference, making it harder for them to disrupt his movement.

3. Offering support between the opponent’s midfield and defensive lines

Another of Raphinha’s strengths, particularly when he operates as an advanced midfielder, is his ability to exploit interior spaces—specifically the gaps between the opponent’s defensive and midfield lines. By doing so, he provides his teammates with progressive passing options, adding verticality to Barcelona’s attacking phase.

Moreover, it’s not just about knowing which spaces to occupy but also about understanding when to occupy them. Raphinha excels at “arriving” in the space rather than merely “being” there, allowing him to surprise the opponent and avoid tight marking.

It is worth noting that this occasional new role for the Brazilian is closely linked to Hansi Flick’s game model and Alejandro Balde’s attacking role. The left-back ensures width on the left flank, creating interior spaces for Raphinha to exploit.

4. Creating space for the dismarking movement

Lastly, another of Raphinha’s great qualities—aside from providing width and depth in the final third or occupying more interior spaces depending on his positional partner—is his ability to “create” his own space for dismarking. He does this through feints, initially moving toward the ball to drag his marker before quickly shifting into the space behind them. This allows him to generate gaps where he can use his speed to gain position and find himself in 1v1 situations with the goalkeeper or in scenarios of spatial advantage.

Conclusion

Although both players operate in the same position, we can clearly identify their different qualities, which further enrich a Barcelona side that has returned to the global stage as a dominant force. It is important to highlight that none of this would be possible without the contributions of full-backs Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé, whose partnerships on the flanks and ability to provide width have allowed both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to maximize their individual performances, even when moving into central channels.

Additionally, their link-up with a striker like Lewandowski and creative midfielders such as Pedri, Gavi, and Olmo makes Barcelona’s attacking unit one of the most effective in today’s football. Without a doubt, these two players have been instrumental in Barcelona’s success this season, and we have no doubt they will continue to make a difference. So, is it time to start thinking about a new golden era under Hansi Flick?