Imitation game: Three ways Real Madrid are copying Barcelona for next season | OneFootball

Barcelona’s 2024/25 season has been nothing short of a dream. Under Hansi Flick, the team not only won La Liga, but also lifted the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

On top of this, they made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. But what truly grabbed headlines was their performance in El Clasico, where Barcelona defeated Real Madrid four times in one season.

This made Hansi Flick just the second manager in the club’s history to beat their rivals that many times in a single campaign.

This incredible run has had a deeper impact. While Barcelona celebrated their treble, Real Madrid were left empty-handed.

For a club of their size, that is a hard pill to swallow. And now, interestingly, Real Madrid seem to be taking a path very similar to the one Barcelona took, right down to the fine details.

From the manager’s background to trusting young talent, and even trying to bring back old academy players, there are strong signs that Madrid is now trying to mirror the approach that has worked wonders for Barcelona.

A Bundesliga coach

Real Madrid will bring a manager with Bundesliga roots. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s appointment of Hansi Flick turned out to be a masterstroke. The German coach brought discipline, structure, and a winning mentality.

Real Madrid seem to be following the same path by preparing to bring in Xabi Alonso, who guided Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga and German Cup double, finishing ahead of Bayern Munich.

Though Alonso is Spanish, he comes with a deep connection to German football, just like Flick.

Now, with Ancelotti moving on to take charge of Brazil, Madrid are counting on Alonso to provide the same kind of spark Flick has given Barça.

While Flick was recommended by Ralf Rangnick, it was Laporta’s decision that brought him in. It now looks like Madrid are trying to pull off their own version of that move.

Reliance on the academy

Real Madrid have relied on the academy this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

For what it is worth. It is certainly not just about the manager. Real Madrid, a club that has rarely relied on its academy in recent years, suddenly seems to be putting more faith in young talent.

During this season, even Ancelotti began giving minutes to players like Raul Asencio and Jacobo Ramon. There is talk of more La Fabrica names coming through too like Joan Martinez and Gonzalo Garcia are already making headlines.

This change mirrors what Barcelona have done so well. The likes of Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Gavi, Fermin López, and Lamine Yamal have become key players for Barça. It is a shift that is paying off, and now Madrid wants in.

Old faces return to add identity

Barcelona made a bold move in the summer of 2024 by bringing back Dani Olmo for €60 million. After rising through the ranks of La Masia, Olmo’s return was more than just a signing, as it was a statement.

Real Madrid want to re-sign Alvaro Carreras. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Barça showed they value identity, connection, and players who understand the club’s culture.

Real Madrid seem to be doing something similar now. Instead of just chasing superstars, they are looking at players who once belonged to their system.

The plan includes re-signing Alvaro Carreras from Benfica and possibly exercising their buyback clause for Nico Paz.

Both moves show a desire to rebuild with players who understand what wearing the white shirt means, which is a clear shift from their “Galáctico” policy of recent years.

In many ways, Barcelona’s success has forced Real Madrid to rethink their strategy. The Catalan giants have built something powerful by trusting in youth, sticking to their roots, and hiring the right coach.

Now, Real Madrid appear to be trying to do the same. Whether it works for them remains to be seen, but for now, Barcelona are leading the way not just on the pitch, but in shaping how top clubs build for the future.