How Hansi Flick turned the tide after grim first half at Levante

Barcelona looked in serious trouble at the Ciutat de València, trailing 2-0 at halftime in matchday 2 of La Liga last Saturday. However, Hansi Flick’s tactical adjustments sparked a comeback that saw Barça claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over Levante, capped by a stoppage-time winner.

The German coach made just two changes from his usual starters, with Casadó and Marcus Rashford stepping in for Frenkie de Jong, absent due to family reasons, and Fermín. Rashford played on the left, pushing Raphinha into a central role. Rashford showed in the first half his potential to help us. We had to change some things in the second half, Hansi Flick said.

Despite dominating possession (85%), Barça’s attack was predictable and lacked penetration. Levante punished them on the counter, with Manu Sánchez key in both neutralizing Lamine Yamal and creating the opening goal.

Pedri and the Midfield Shift

Flick kept the 4-2-3-1 but altered roles after the break. Gavi and Dani Olmo came on for Casadó and Rashford, giving Barça more verticality. Gavi provided stability in midfield, allowing Pedri greater freedom between the lines. The Canary Islander capitalized, scoring from the edge of the box to cut the deficit.

Raphinha shifted back wide, while Olmo thrived in a central link-up role. Ferran Torres then equalized 2-2 with a header from a corner early in the second half.

Flick’s Bold Final Move

With the match still level, Flick reshaped the team again in the 76th minute, introducing Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen. The system morphed into a 3-3-4, pairing Lewandowski with Ferran Torres up front. Barça settled deeper into Levante’s half, piling pressure. Koundé came on late, ensuring balance while keeping the attacking intent alive.

The relentless pressure paid off in the 91st minute when Lamine Yamal’s cross forced a poor clearance from Elgezabal, which Ferran Torres turned in for the decisive 3-2. Barça finished with overwhelming control, 82% possession, and 26 shots to Levante’s eight.

Tactical Tweaks Seal the Victory

In the dying moments, Raphinha even filled in at left-back, underlining Flick’s willingness to adjust until the very end. Despite a shaky start, Barça’s tactical versatility and squad depth proved decisive, turning what seemed a looming disaster into a thrilling comeback win.