Flick’s Barça shoots every four minutes

Flick’s Barça shoots every four minutes. The team averages 21.9 attempts per match, reflecting a desire to bring attacking moves to a finish. The pattern has been evident since the start of the season, although two games stand out as exceptions.

Barça attempted 11 shots against Elche and 12 against Levante. Those are more typical totals, but the team was highly effective in both matches. By contrast, the numbers were especially high against Racing (30 shots in a 7-2 win), Rayo (26 in a 5-2 win), Valencia (25 in a 0-5 win), Feyenoord (24 in a 5-1 win) and Sevilla (24 in a 1-3 win). Barça also had 23 attempts against Getafe in a 3-0 win, then 22 against Athletic in a 2-0 win and Galatasaray in a 1-4 win.

That frequency points to a collective determination to see attacks through. The threat does not come only from the forwards: defenders such as Joao Cancelo, Jules Koundé and Xavi Espart have already scored. In midfield, Rodrigo Hernández, Pedri González and Pablo Páez “Gavi” are also willing to try their luck. In this team, the search for goals involves every area of the pitch.