Barcelona Hold 3–2 Advantage at Halftime Against FC Seoul as Flick Tests Squad Depth with Full Second-Half Rotation
In a high-scoring first half of their preseason friendly against FC Seoul, Barcelona managed to secure a 3–2 lead by halftime.
However, the more intriguing development came during the intermission, as head coach Hansi Flick opted to completely overhaul his lineup for the second half.
All 11 players who began the match were substituted, making way for an entirely new group to take the field.
One notable player replaced at the break was Ronald Araújo, who had been entrusted with the captain’s armband during the opening 45 minutes.
With the full-team change, a new captain was selected to lead the side for the second half—a move that allowed several younger and fringe players to demonstrate their abilities under the watchful eye of the recently appointed Flick.
The sweeping halftime substitutions indicate that Flick is using preseason fixtures not just for fitness and tactical experimentation, but also to evaluate the overall strength and versatility of his squad.
It was a calculated decision to test players in various roles and under different pressures as Barcelona look ahead to the new season.
Gavi Earns Widespread Fan Support After Captaining Barcelona
Amid the changes, young midfielder Gavi was handed the captain’s armband for the second half, immediately catching the attention of fans.
His leadership on the pitch, despite being just 19, sparked a flood of admiration on social media.
Supporters were quick to hail him as a “natural-born leader,” praising both his demeanor and his on-field authority.
Comments poured in, with fans saying the armband “suits him perfectly,” and some even suggesting they’d prefer Gavi as captain over veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
The reaction adds fuel to ongoing speculation that Flick may be considering a broader shake-up of the club’s leadership structure as part of a cultural reboot at Barcelona.
Although no official decision has been made regarding the permanent captaincy, Gavi’s maturity, passion, and longstanding commitment to the club have many believing he is a future leader in the making.
His performance and presence in this friendly only strengthened that belief.
Regardless of whether a change in captaincy occurs, it’s clear that Gavi’s qualities have not gone unnoticed—either by the fans or by his new manager.
Leave a Reply