Three games into the 2024/25 season and Barcelona are setting the pace at the top of La Liga. The Catalans have nine points from a possible nine and signed off for the September international break with a 7-0 mauling of Real Valladolid. Many are already tipping them for the Spanish title.
More important than Barcelona’s results, however, have been their performances. Barca look like Barca again. Hansi Flick has very quickly given the Catalans their identity back with wins over Valencia, Athletic Club and Real Valladolid highlighting the style and structure the German coach has imposed over the summer.
Last season was a disappointing one for Barcelona. While the Catalans ultimately finished second in the La Liga table, they were never competitive with Real Madrid for the title. Xavi Hernandez struggled to find answers to the problems that eventually cost him his job. Barca clearly needed a new direction.
Flick was appointed after links to Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi faded away. Some questioned the wisdom in hiring a manager who hadn’t been involved in club soccer for two seasons, but Flick has quickly silenced those doubts through his early-season actions and general demeanour.
While some believe Xavi was harshly treated in his final season as Barca boss, he was a highly strung individual in the hot seat. In front of the press, the midfielder would often end up in arguments. Some praised his passion for the club, but others pointed out that Xavi’s personality only added to the stress of Barcelona’s situation.
By contrast, Flick is much calmer as a public persona. His press conferences aren’t always the most newsworthy, but that has helped Barcelona focus on the training pitch and the start of the season. There is a clarity around the club that hasn’t been there for a number of years and Flick has helped achieve that.
On the pitch, Flick’s Barcelona have raised their intensity out of possession. They are working harder to win the ball and are pushing themselves higher up the pitch to counter-press opponents. While Barca attempted to do this under Xavi last season, they are now pressing as a unit rather than individuals. That has made a big difference.
There has also been an incisiveness to Barcelona’s attacking play that was missing last season. The rotations in attacking midfield between summer signing Dani Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have been a key part of Barca’s game in the final third and opponents have been put in the blender as a result.
“As Hansi said from the beginning, he wants to create an offensive team that generates opportunities, scores many goals and that presses well,” said Robert Lewandowski when asked about Flick’s approach. The Polish striker has been rejuvenated early this season and is being asked to operate as more of an orthodox centre forward. Flick wants him in the box to convert chances.
Several youngsters have been given a chance to prove themselves in Flick’s first team this season with Marc Casado and Marc Bernal both impressing at the base of the midfield. Xavi struggled to find a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets in the transfer market, but Flick has instead looked to La Masia for such a player.
Not everything is rosy at Barcelona right now, though. Speculation is swirling around Deco’s position as the club’s sporting director with the former attacking midfielder unhappy at the lack of resources he was afforded in the summer transfer window. Olmo was Barca’s only notable new addition ahead of the 2024/25 season starting.
For the most part, though, Barcelona are heading in the right direction again and have earned some early vindication for their decision to hire Flick when others believed alternative candidates would have been better suited to the job. Even if this season doesn’t bring the Spanish title, Barca have an identity again.
