Barcelona clinched the La Liga title on Thursday with a 2-0 win against Espanyol, establishing an unassailable seven-point lead over Real Madrid. Having been considered favorites for several months, this league success, coupled with their Copa del Rey win, marks their first double-winning season since 2017-18. Their dominance this campaign, which also saw them reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals, was not widely predicted at the season`s outset. Barcelona began the campaign shrouded in uncertainty due to a managerial change and ongoing financial difficulties. However, under Hansi Flick`s guidance, the team quickly gelled and proved remarkably difficult to defeat from start to finish.
Throughout the season, Barcelona frequently overpowered their opponents, including a Real Madrid side they defeated in all four El Clasico encounters, outscoring them 16-7 across those matches. While benefiting from the rapid emergence of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Flick also revitalized his attackers, notably a resurgent Robert Lewandowski and a standout Raphinha. Flick`s offensive philosophy not only overwhelmed opposition defenses but also effectively compensated for Barcelona`s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their sometimes inconsistent back line.
As celebrations begin in Barcelona, let`s look back at the primary reasons for their title victory.
Barcelona`s High-Octane Attack
Even if they had managed to sign Dani Olmo early in the season, Barcelona`s financial constraints meant a summer of significant squad transformation was never feasible, despite how necessary it seemed after the previous season – especially following Real Madrid`s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe. However, Flick maximized the resources at his disposal by implementing an engaging and highly effective attacking style.
Barcelona fully embraced an offensive approach characterized by a high defensive line – a high-risk, high-reward tactic that proved successful thanks to the strength of their attack, spearheaded by players like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Yamal. They lead La Liga with 97 goals from 87.47 expected goals this season, achieved through a diverse approach that allowed numerous players to contribute. At this point in the campaign, five Barcelona players have scored 10 or more goals, including Olmo and Ferran Torres. Their scoring wasn`t limited to a few players; goals came from various sources, too. Flick`s team leads La Liga with 14 goals from set pieces, with eight specifically from corners.
Flick also made crucial adjustments to the players supporting this attacking trio, enhancing Barcelona`s winning margins, even if clean sheets were sometimes hard to come by. Frenkie de Jong became a regular starter in the winter, replacing Marc Casado to provide greater defensive stability, while Wojciech Szczesny took over from Inaki Pena after first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen sustained a knee injury last fall. Despite occasional errors, Szczesny averages 0.9 expected goals against per game, a better figure than Pena`s 1.3.
Resurgence of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski
Flick`s remarkable ability to transform Barcelona into a title-winning side is particularly evident in the performances of two players: Raphinha and Lewandowski, especially the former.
Raphinha, who joined from Leeds United in 2022 and had previously been seen as an example of Barcelona`s struggles, essentially became one of the world`s top attacking players seemingly overnight. The Brazilian international transitioned from a traditional winger role to a more central position, operating effectively as a second striker. This tactical shift by Flick paid significant dividends – Raphinha concluded a career-best season with 34 goals across all competitions, a substantial improvement on the 17 he scored for Portugal`s Vitoria in the 2017-18 campaign.
As for Lewandowski, he appeared to be slowing down last season, but the 36-year-old has significantly improved after reuniting with Flick, his former manager at Bayern Munich. He is slightly less involved in build-up play but has become a more prolific shot-taker this season, averaging 3.4 shots per game in La Liga, up from 2.7 last campaign. This has translated into more goals, with an average of 0.8 goals per game compared to 0.5 last season. He also currently leads La Liga in expected goals with 24.65 and ranks third in the league for total shots with 109.
Youth Movement Spearheaded by Lamine Yamal
Perhaps the most straightforward aspect of working with Barcelona`s squad for Flick was integrating the club`s highly talented academy products. He inherited a group that had already gained significant first-team experience under his predecessor, Xavi, who, perhaps partly due to the club`s financial necessity, had done well to introduce the next generation of players.
This group is undoubtedly led by Lamine Yamal, who this season cemented his status as one of football`s most exciting future stars. The 17-year-old has been an attacking force with 17 goals and 20 assists across all competitions, leading La Liga in the latter category. He also ranks second in the league for shots with 131. However, Yamal`s influence extends beyond goal contributions; he is fundamental to almost every Barcelona attack. An exceptional passer, he creates incredible offensive opportunities with highlight-reel moments and has already developed the composure to handle pressure in big games. In Yamal, Barcelona already possess a player capable of anchoring their team for years to come, alleviating much of the uncertainty that has lingered since Lionel Messi`s departure highlighted the severity of their financial situation.
Yamal is not the only young talent who made a significant impact this season. A number of academy graduates became regular starters, including Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde in defense, and Gavi and Pedri in midfield. Like Yamal, they are becoming reliable fixtures in this new era for Barcelona, offering a sense of stability for a club that may face transfer market restrictions for several years.
