Two numbers outline the season of Barcelona, even when the figures barely seize the essence of them this season. A) They amassed 171 objectives throughout all competitions with a La Liga week extra to spice up the quantity, the runaway greatest in Europe among the many elite leagues. B) They caught their opponents offside 289 instances, nobody has mustered even half as many. Equally, a staggering 38 objectives towards them had been dominated out for offside.
The numbers seize a few of the putting elements of their march: First, the prolific type of their forward-line. A revived Robert Lewandowski netted 40 objectives in 50 video games, Raphinha was concerned in 59, Lamine Yamal stroked 18 and conceptualised 25. Then, the tactical intelligence of their dangerously excessive back-line to drag off the nice off-side lure. However they don’t depict the thrilling role-swap of their wingers, the artistry of Pedri, the ruthlessness of Lewandowski, the imaginative and prescient of Frenkie de Jong, the dribble gnome that’s Fermin Lopez, the artistic zest of Dani Olmo, or the cohesion of the back-line. Or the sheer pleasure of watching a gifted group functioning on the outer reaches of their verve and trickery, a mix of smarts from the alleys and construction from academies, soccer as an expression of joie de vivre.
Barcelona followers shouldn’t be strangers to glory and pleasure. However this was not as that they had skilled within the period of Johan Cruyff or Pep Guardiola. However nearer to the spontaneous and uninhibited delights that marked the times of Ronaldinho, the Brazilian wizard who impressed unadulterated pleasure, who smiled and put a smile on the face of the beholder. It’s in contrast to any Barcelona iteration in current instances.
The strategies of Hansi Flick are related but dissimilar to the ideas of Cruyff and Guardiola. The fixation with possession is a standard thread. Barcelona have loved a mean possession of 68.9 p.c in La Liga. The defence maintains a high-line, the midfield is manned by supreme passers with a variety of passing. However Flick’s Barcelona is quicker, extra direct and vertical. Positional self-discipline—the soul of Guardiola—Cruyff handbook—will not be as adhered strictly to. So is the effectivity of by balls. The desire for homegrown expertise, although it’s a consequence of economic pressure, is one other strand of commonality. The opening sport featured three 17-year-olds. Throught the season, 13 academy graduates featured in several video games.
It’s not dying by a thousand passes, however homicide with a single bullet, cowboy fashion, exact and piercing. He has instilled the gegenpress from the German faculty, making them a feared transitional aspect in Europe. Once they lose the ball, they unflinchingly hound the adversaries and reclaim it. Younger legs assist—they’ve the youngest squad, the common age being 24, regardless of the presence of two poles within the mid 30s, Lewandowski and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, the latter cajoled again from retirement after captain Marc-André ter Stegen was dominated out halfway by the season.
A revived Robert Lewandowski netted 40 objectives in 50 video games, Raphinha was concerned in 59, Lamine Yamal stroked 18 and conceptualised 25. (AP)
As soon as the ball is retrieved, they don’t assemble the aim with elaborate build-up play, however fast, sharp passing. Guardiola loathed such an strategy in his Barcelona days, although he’s experimenting an analogous fashion with Metropolis today. His Barcelona was akin to poetry that conformed to syllable-perfect rhyme schemes. Each be aware, tone, and accent was positioned the place it needs to be. Each particular person had a particular position that he carried out to near-perfection. Aside from the uncontainable genius of Lionel Messi, few had the freedom to behave on his personal whims. It labored, just like the London Symphony Orchestra.
Flick’s Barcelona is a fusion of orchestra and heavy steel. A staff strumming to the synchronised chords earlier than breaking apart for a fast bass guitar solo. It’s each Mozart and Jimi Hendrix. It’s a triumph of each the collective and particular person, each the system and particular person coexisting in a harmonious union. Lamine Yamal embodies the thought of individualism. The 17-year-old is of such riveting expertise that methods can’t stifle him. He’s a breath of recent air within the system and construction obsessed modern-football. His sport is born within the streets, which honed his means to glide alongside tight areas, and nurtured on the La Masia, smoothing the tough edges. His wondrous strikes, usually on the most opportune second, are a deal with, every aim reel-worthy.
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However extra pleasant are his one-twos with Lopez or wing-swapping with Raphinha. Lopez, solely 22, is a trickster with the stealth of an alley cat. Within the newest El Clasico, he and Yamal mixed to provide scintillating sequences that left Actual Madrid’s defenders working circles. Raphinha was nearly deliberating on exiting the membership, earlier than Flick revived him and gave him spatial freedom, unlocking his multifaceted abilities. He can whip up tempo like a traditional winger, break the traces like a contemporary one, rating like a centre ahead and help like an inside ahead. Barcelona, thus, may rattle opponents in some ways.
THE MOMENT! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/x1azKHAcBa
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 18, 2025
Much like Raphinha, Flick revitalised the ageing Lewandowski, deemed surplus by Xavi and who appeared a yard slower than he was in his prime. Flick, although, utilised his aerial prowess by encouraging extra crosses, hold-up play and intelligent actions. He was utilised as a classical striker, a false 9 and a withdrawn one like Jurgen Klopp used Roberto Firmino in Liverpool. Like the guy German, he infused togetherness too. “Crucial factor is you are feeling like a household. The ambiance within the dressing room is so nice; I’ve by no means seen this earlier than. They actually maintain one another,” Flick mentioned.
Pedri too has been notched up a couple of upward gears. “I really feel liberated,” Pedri mentioned. “Flick has advised me to play with out strain. He’s superb with us, near us, giving us confidence. In fact when you need to take issues critically he does. He has that contact of a sergeant main however he’s beautiful actually.” The final reference was to Flick’s emphasis on punctuality (for follow and staff conferences) and the apparel of gamers (no designer garments, solely staff tracks within the membership premises). Nevertheless it’s a cheerful staff, and the happiness pours on to the sector of expression too.
Whether or not they would scale the heights of Guardiola’s Barcelona is unsure, however they’ve rekindled the enjoyment of watching the Spanish giants. It’s a story of two numbers in addition to the smile they placed on the beholder’s face and the sheer uninhibited thrill they spark.