‘‘We are starting this new season with a lot of hope. We hope it brings a lot of success.’’ – Ter Stegen, at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
Barcelona are easily one of the biggest and most successful football sides globally, having won 27 La Liga trophies, 31 Copa Del Rey titles, and 5 Champions League trophies. However, thanks to the departure of Lionel Messi and financial struggles, the team has performed way below its typical supremacy in the footballing world.
But all the hiatus seems to be over as the Catalans are seemingly back to winning ways under manager Hansi Flick despite having the youngest team in the league. Possibly, Ter Stegen’s declared hopes at the beginning of the season are coming true. Here’s examining the potential reasons for Barcelona’s success under Hansi Flick so far in the 2024/25 season.
Barcelona’s Incredible Start in Numbers
Barcelona won eleven of their opening thirteen fixtures in La Liga this season, including a massive 4-0 victory against title rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Catalans won their first seven league matches, suffering defeats to Osasuna in late September and Real Sociedad only last week, as they struggled without the injured Yamal. Thankfully, two weeks of Yamal’s three-week injury are within the upcoming international period.
After eleven wins, Barça topped the table in the second week of November, six points clear of second-placed Real and seven points ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid. Per the goals scored, Barcelona have easily been the best scorers in Spain, scoring 15 more than Real Madrid’s 25. That translates to more than three goals per game, thanks to LewanGOALski’s heroics of 14 strikes so far ( that’s equal to the combined number obtained from Madrid’s duo of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe).
Meanwhile, Raphinha has scored seven goals, while Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo have scored five, with three strikes coming from Pedri and Pablo Torre. Lone goals from Jules Kounde, Ferran Torres, and Pau Victor have also contributed to Barcelona’s feats this season.
Barcelona have also enjoyed a fine start to the new Champions League format this season and are on course to finish in the top eight and jump straight to the Last 16 stage after losing only to Monaco. The team has defeated Young Boys, Bayern Munich, and Red Star, scoring 14 goals in the three matches to sound a loud warning to coming foes that Hansi Flick and his team can win the continent’s biggest club this season.
How Flick Has Changed Barcelona Since Becoming Coach
‘‘I’m delighted to be working in Barcelona and to live in Barcelona. It’s a fantastic job, I’m very happy… We have played a fantastic game and I am so proud,’’ FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said in the post-match press conference after Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 at Santiago Bernabeu.
Not many football coaches have had such a massive impact on a team in their first season, especially for a side that struggled only the previous year. Hansi Flick seems like the product of some wand of luck for Barcelona after he signed for the Spanish giants.
Flick replaced Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandes, choosing Barcelona’s legacy over its financial difficulties. No doubt, the German’s manager’s shrewd tactics, alongside a heavy reliance on La Masia have proven successful in charting Barça’s path to victory this season.
Style of Play
Gone are the days of Barcelona playing a rigid tiki-taka for 90 minutes. Flick has brought a fresh perspective to the Catalans’ games so far by promoting young talents from La Masia to the senior team while opponents were splashing money on big stars like Kylian Mbappe and Julian Alvarez.
Unlike the previous norms, Flick told his players to play in a more direct rhythm, giving the midfielders the liberty with possession to make some direct passes, whether line-breaking passes or long hauls to break the opposition team in half.
On the defensive line, Flick’s plan of multiple off-side traps has been highly successful in restricting the opposition attackers. Jules Kounde, Inigo Martínez, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde – the latter two La Masia youngsters, and the others a Spanish center-back who everyone thought was leaving Camp Nou during the summer, and a French center-back who plays as a right-back for Barça this season – have surprisingly formed one of the best backlines in Europe.
Barca has drawn over 70 off-side traps this season, the most by any team in Europe, and double the 35 drawn by second-place Brighton. All thanks to the smart moves of defenders who keep an eye on opponents’ final moves to earn offside calls.
Barca proved their dominance when they defeated three big teams within 6 days – Sevilla, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid – scoring 13 goals and conceding only two to stamp their supremacy in the game again. Of course, Flick is surrounded by experts in coaches and tacticians who have ensured that players in all departments are healthy and efficient week in, week-out.
Heavy Reliance on La Masia – Lamine Yamal, Cassado, Pau Cubarsi
Flick also heavily relied on La Masia products in filling every department on his roster. Cassado, 21, has almost seamlessly stepped into the midfield role Sergio Busquets once held, providing rock-solid performances. He made crucial assists in Barca’s two biggest games this season – against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
On the defense line, Pau Cubarsi, another La Masia product has demonstrated the readiness to stake his body for his team. More intriguingly, he’s been one of the best passers from the back, with line-breaking passes that cut the opposition in half.
Lamine Yamal, only 17, has demonstrated much more maturity under Flick. His understanding has remarkably improved as he has begun making crucial passes outside the box – something he lacked last season, alongside an increased desire to attack more inside the box.
Yamal’s flair has left analysts comparing him to the exploits of young Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. Oh, and there’s no forgetting that he leads Europe’s top 5 leagues on the number of completed dribbles.
What’s Next for Hansi Flick and FC Barcelona?
Going by Barcelona’s impressive start to the season, it’s not hard to see why their fans are so excited and optimistic about their chances of winning trophies this season.
Also, many of the team’s fans are consistently betting on the results of their team this season. According to MightyTips tipster and iGaming expert, Kate Richardson, stats have shown that more Barca fans are backing their team to win this season compared to last season.
If you’re a Barca fan who wants to bet on the success of the team this season, you’re not out of line. However, to improve your winning chances, make sure to check free La Liga predictions for today on reliable review platforms.
No doubt, Barcelona is solidly in the ascendancy, with the Catalan giants in total control of the domestic league. However, it’s still too early to claim they will win the title after only 13 games, although their fans will hope they can continue putting out the points to achieve the feat.
Flick’s team will head to Real Betis in December and welcome Atletico Madrid to Catalonia just before Christmas. Next May will possibly prove the most testing to Barca with five fixtures to play, including a home clash with Real Madrid before a final-day match against Athletico Bilbao.
In the Champions League, they play Stade Brest before traveling to Borussia Dortmund and Benfica. Their last Champions League game this season will be against Atalanta at home.
With one of the best attacking triumvirates in the world (Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamal,) an impressive defensive line, and a fine midfield front, the German coach may well be on his way to winning silverware for the Camp Nou outfit this season.
