Flick praised for 'genius' De Jong move: 'Football is sometimes like chess'

Flick made three defensive adjustments against Atlético Madrid, deploying De Jong at right-back to transform Barcelona's second-half performance after a poor opening 45 minutes.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick earned widespread praise for his tactical adjustments in Sunday's match against Atlético Madrid, with AS calling him a "genius" and Mundo Deportivo dubbing him a "magician."

Forced to improvise due to injuries to Jules Koundé and Xavi Espart, Flick deployed three different defensive setups. Brian Fariñas started at right-back, but at half-time Flick moved Frenkie de Jong into the position. Later, Eric García took over at right-back while De Jong shifted back to midfield.

The changes proved decisive: Barcelona struggled in the first half, appearing disorganized against Simeone's Atlético, but De Jong's presence at right-back brought order and control. His positioning created numerical superiority in that zone and helped Barcelona regain possession dominance, ultimately leading to the 2-1 victory.

Flick's ability to read the game and adjust mid-match proved crucial. De Jong, who has played four different positions in four games since returning from injury, looked comfortable in the unfamiliar role and even won physical duels against Marcos Llorente. The tactical flexibility showcased Barcelona's adaptability and Flick's coaching acumen.