The latest match between Barça and Rayo Vallecano offered a tactical lesson that's hard to overlook. The Madrid team introduced an innovative tactic that caused serious problems for the Barça defense. Young Pau Cubarsí, who is increasingly a leader in the back line, was one of those who called for an internal meeting to analyze what happened.
The maneuver consisted of Rayo's forwards positioning themselves offside before the play advanced. When the ball moved down the wing, those same strikers would join the play in an onside position inside the box. This way, they managed to surprise the defense and create immediate danger.
A tactic that disoriented Barça
Rayo created as many as five clear chances using this system. They also accumulated seven offsides, a statistic that reflects how risky and, at the same time, how effective the tactic was. Barça especially struggled with the lack of coordination between the center-backs and the full-backs, which caused more tension than desired in a match that seemed to be under control.
For Cubarsí, who at just 17 years old is already a key figure in the team, the experience was a strong warning. The academy graduate took on a leadership role in the locker room and asked his teammates for maximum focus. His words resonated within the club: "This can't happen again," sources close to the locker room reported.
Flick seeks immediate solutions
Hansi Flick, Barça's coach, analyzed Rayo's tactical move in detail. The German knows that other La Liga teams may copy the idea in upcoming matches. That's why the priority is to design adjustments that will neutralize this creative tactic before it becomes a trend.
Among the measures being considered is more coordinated work between center-backs and full-backs. The key will be to keep a more synchronized defensive line to avoid gaps in the box. Cubarsí, with his reading of the game, is emerging as a key piece in this tactical reorganization.
Pau Cubarsí's growth goes beyond the sporting aspect. His leadership on the field has also extended to post-match analysis, where his opinion is increasingly heard. In this case, he was the one who emphasized the importance of correcting imbalances and not underestimating any opponent.
Barça, aware that their rivals study every detail, understands that what happened against Rayo is a wake-up call. Cubarsí has made it clear: defensive solidity is the foundation for Flick's team to be able to aim for everything. What happened should be seen as a learning experience, not as an isolated accident.