In front of over 50,000 fans at St. James’ Park, Barcelona entered their first Champions League match with clear intentions and meticulous preparation. But despite the important victory, not everything was rosy behind the scenes.
German coach Hansi Flick left the match with several crucial observations that could reshape the starting lineup in the coming weeks and potentially accelerate major decisions in the dressing room.
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Between the brilliance of some players and the concerning performances of others, it became clear to the coach that the list of players he could rely on in big matches had significantly narrowed.
Young Midfield Star Fails to Deliver
One of the names under scrutiny was Fermín López. The young player entered the match full of confidence after scoring two goals in the previous round against Valencia and was seen as a flexible attacking option.
However, the reality of the Newcastle match was very different.
Faced with the physical strength of the English midfield duo, Guimarães and Joelinton, Fermín completely disappeared from the scene. He lost possession on multiple occasions, failed to make direct impact, and appeared slow in reading the game under high pressure.
His performance was so underwhelming that Flick began to publicly reassess his options. This was especially evident after Dani Olmo came on in the second half and demonstrated a clear difference in both mental and technical presence.
Olmo Proves He’s a “Big-Game Player”
Despite his late introduction, Olmo’s touches were more composed and confident. He retained possession under pressure and created space through intelligent distribution, which Fermín struggled to deliver throughout the match.
Flick, known for his meticulous attention to tactical details, appeared frustrated after the game. According to sources close to the team, he described the performances of certain players as “not at Champions League level.”
Tactical Decision Looming
Within Barcelona’s coaching staff, there is a growing consensus that tough matches require players who are used to high-pressure environments and have experience in European competition. As of now, it seems Fermín still needs further development before being relied upon as a starter.
With crucial fixtures remaining in the group stage, this encounter could prove to be a turning point in the careers of several players. This is particularly true in midfield, which has become a fiercely contested area and is now led by options such as Olmo, Pedri, and Gavi.
