Barcelona is Only Slightly Off Course | OneFootball

With the international break upon us, it’s again time to step back and take a big picture look at the season so far and what’s to come. There have been some highs, some lows, some hope, and some major questions for Hansi Flick.

Only Slightly Off Course

Despite all the negativity, including an uncomfortable number of injuries, Barcelona enters the November international break just three points off of their bitter rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table. If one of their second half chances in El Clásico had found the back of the net, or that foul was called on Dani Carvajal when he crashed into Ronald Araújo’s back, then the lead would be just one. Aside from the 4-1 disaster against Sevilla, Hansi Flick is finding ways to get results in La Liga even when his team aren’t playing their best. It may sound like a trope, but winning ugly has always been the formula to getting that La Liga title.

Robert Lewandowski tied for second in La Liga with seven goals may not sound that impressive when considering Kylian Mbappé’s league-leading 13, but Lewandowski’s tallies came in less than 450 minutes. Mbappé has done it in 1,050 minutes while Julian Álvarez is tied with Lewandowski but has needed 500 more minutes to get to the same seven. To have Marcus Rashford leading the charts with seven assists is almost a best-case scenario for the Englishman. He hasn’t fully adapted to Flick’s high pressing system, but he’s still contributing goals and assists despite some flaws.

Leaking Goals

The major issue this season has come in the form of goals conceded. Barcelona may have scored six more goals than any other club in Spain, but their 15 goals conceded are tied with Espanyol and the only team in the top 12 with a worse mark is Sevilla’s 19.

Understandably, the injuries up and down the squad are somewhat if not marginally culpable for the inconsistent results and shaky defensive structure. Big offseason signing Joan Garcia looked excellent when available, but he’s missed nine games. Raphinha missed those same nine games. Pedri is currently out and will likely miss six or seven total. Gavi going down at the end of August and not due back until around March will equal around 31 games missed.

Current midfield injuries (Source: Sofascore)

Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Fermín López, and Lamine Yamal have all missed three matches or more, while Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, and Dani Olmo have also dealt with little hinderances.

It may actually be easier to discuss the players that haven’t been banged up. Ronald Araújo, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé, and Marcus Rashford are the six first team players who have not officially missed time due to injury. Roony Bardghji and Gerard Martin are the seventh and eighth, as they only missed the first match due to registration issues.

The debate about the leaky defense comes down to whether or not personnel will solve some of the problems. A second season of high octane football under Hansi Flick may be taking its toll, both physically and mentally. Other teams have begun to gameplay against the offside trap and even with his full assortment of weapons, Flick may need to adapt more than he has in previous managerial stops.

Survive Until the New Year

The rest of 2025 will require some of these questions to be answered, as the schedule doesn’t get any easier on paper until January. Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, Eintract Frankfurt, Osasuna, plus a scrappy Alaves side, all await Barcelona at home. If the return to the Camp Nou is truly and finally happening after the international break, the excitement of the revamped atmosphere could help boost a weary side.

Barça’s schedule through 2025 (Source: Sofascore)

The Catalans hit the road for match-ups with Chelsea, Real Betis, and Villarreal before the calendar turns. Osasuna is the lowest spot in the La Liga table at 16th, and if counting Espanyol on January 4th, Barça will be facing 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10th in the next two months.

Pundits can provide a bunch of solutions for Flick, but getting healthy and finding a way to get results regardless of aesthetics are the two most important things for the first team between now and 2026. Some Culers are jumping ship with their trust in Flick, but a keen reminder of a similar dip in form last season should calm some nerves.

For more on how Flick adapted after a dismal first half against Celta de Vigo, Dan from The Barcelona Podcast broke it all down with the tactics board: