Flick turns to De Jong as a right-back solution

Flick’s experiments on the flanks found another application against Atlético: after starting Brian Fariñas at right-back, the coach used De Jong in that role before moving him back into midfield. With Barça leading 1-2 after Fermín’s second goal, Flick made further changes and restored De Jong to the holding-midfield position, where he had not played since returning from injury.

He had made his debut against Alavés and then started again against Aston Villa on Tuesday. With Koundé and Espart injured, Flick had no natural right-back available. Before the match at the Metropolitano, however, he had hinted that Eric Garcia, who was returning from injury, could start.

Defence was one of the team’s weaknesses in the first half, prompting Flick to change his right side. Fariñas went to the bench, but the coach did not choose Eric as his direct replacement. Instead, he moved De Jong across, giving the midfielder the right-back role. In four matches since returning from injury, the Dutchman has played in four different positions: attacking midfield, centre-back, right-back and, eventually, holding midfield.

The switch was also intended to help Barça gain more possession in midfield and counter Atlético’s initial superiority. Eric later came on for Bernal, who had been booked and was struggling, and took the right-back position, allowing Frenkie to move into midfield. Flick had also selected Christensen to counter Sorloth’s introduction. On the other flank, Cancelo had defensive difficulties.

Flick’s use of unusual options is not confined to this match: he has also played Koundé, Espart and Cancelo at full-back. The coach said Brian was in a good spell and linked up well with Lamine. He also stressed the need to manage Eric’s minutes. That flexibility allowed Flick to alter his team’s shape several times during the match.