The 2025-26 season for Barça begins with a firm determination from Hansi Flick. The German coach has made it clear that there are no previous privileges in his team. Who starts will depend on form, not on names.
Jules Koundé, a regular in defense last season, has seen his status questioned. Hansi Flick has chosen another name for the right-back position after observing his strong performance. That decision marks the beginning of a new competitive era in Barça's defensive line.
Hansi Flick's decision: Eric García ahead
Hansi Flick has trusted Eric García as the starting right-back from the beginning of the season. That choice came after a preseason in which García showed solidity and consistency. This move at right-back has relegated Koundé directly to the bench.
Koundé did get minutes against Rayo Vallecano, but his performance was erratic. He was blamed for several defensive lapses that increased doubts about his return to the starting eleven. Hansi Flick made it clear that "until further notice" he won't be a starter again unless he shows confidence and performance.
How Hansi Flick conditions starting roles at Barça
Hansi Flick has established a clear principle: past hierarchies don't count in his decisions. Only form and attitude in training will determine who starts. That demand puts Koundé in a tense situation, forcing him to double his efforts to regain the coach's trust.
Eric García, meanwhile, has taken on a leading role in Barça's squad. Not only by filling a role in defense, but also through his tactical versatility and reliability in every match. Hansi Flick values him as an emerging pillar who brings confidence and clarity to the defensive system.
Koundé's immediate future in tension
With Jules Koundé on the bench, the Frenchman's margin for maneuver is reduced to a minimum. He must seize every opportunity and give a clear response to return to Barça's starting eleven. Hansi Flick has been blunt: discipline, performance, and immediate confidence are the way to regain a starting spot.
This situation also sends an internal message to the rest of the squad. It shows that not even heavyweights like Koundé are untouchable at Barça. Competition is real, strict control is in place, and performance rules.