🔎 2025-26: will Barça finally win the Champions League? | OneFootball

Barça's season kicks off this Saturday in Mallorca (7:30 PM). The first match of their title defense will provide an initial assessment as Hansi Flick's men hope to continue their strong momentum.

The Transfer Market 💰

Still in a delicate financial situation, Barça hasn't gone overboard. The main goal was to slim down, and Barcelona achieved this with the free departures of defenders Clément Lenglet (to Atlético) and Inigo Martinez (to Al-Nassr), and the sales of young players Pau Victor (€12M to Braga) and Alex Valle (€6M to Como). Ansu Fati also left the club on loan to join Monaco.

On the arrivals front, the confusion surrounding ter Stegen's situation made the recruitment of a goalkeeper even more urgent. The club thus snatched Joan Garcia from Espanyol for 25 million euros.

The Barcelona board then made two smart signings: the young and talented Swedish winger from Copenhagen, Roony Bardghji (€2.5M), and the loan of Marcus Rashford. Great signings, though they need to be registered, which likely closed a Catalan transfer window also brightened by the extension of homegrown talent Lamine Yamal until 2031.

The Pre-season ☀️

Barcelona managed a flawless preparation. A successful tour in Asia, with three easy victories against Vissel Kobe (3-1), in Seoul (7-3), and then Daegu (5-0). Then a 5-0 victory against Fabregas' Como on August 10.

Convincing results combined with already promising performances from Marcus Rashford (one goal, two assists), whose integration and offensive contribution could quickly wreak havoc. Hansi Flick's team seems ready to defend their title.

The Objectives 💪

Having achieved a domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa), Barcelona intends to retain their titles. Opta even makes Barça the favorite to retain their championship title, with a 46.5% chance of winning, compared to 32.1% for Real.

But the real goal lies elsewhere for the Catalans, who still have the Champions League semi-final against Inter in mind. Led by an unstoppable Yamal, Barcelona has made winning the Champions League their main objective, ten years after their last title in the competition.

The 3️⃣ Leaders

Lamine Yamal, of course, for his talent and magical performances.

Ronald Araujo, vocal leader, defensive stalwart, and the club's second captain, while the first, ter Stegen, is still at the heart of a complex situation. Barça had even stripped him of the captaincy a few days ago before giving it back, but he will be absent for several months, and his future is uncertain.

Robert Lewandowski, the spearhead of Barça. At 36, the Polish striker, who has already surpassed the 100-goal mark with the club in three seasons, must continue to lead the way with his experience and goals.

The Young Talent to Watch 💎

Roony Bardghji, the Swedish gem. Signed from Copenhagen for just over 2 million euros, the young winger could be one of the "steals" of the transfer market.

A right-winger with flair, an excellent dribbler, and a regular scorer, Bardghji (19 years old) played very little last season due to a torn cruciate ligament. Returning at the end of the season, he is ready to make sparks off the bench, supporting Yamal and Raphinha.

Given the player's talent, who has already impressed in his six Champions League matches, he could take a step forward at Barça.

The Typical Lineup 🔥

Flick's 4-2-3-1 worked very well last season and should therefore be retained. One of the challenges for the German coach's XI will be integrating Marcus Rashford. But, for now, it's likely that the English forward will initially be tasked with bringing quality off the bench.

Also Read:

- La Liga: The 5️⃣ Questions for This New Season

- Luis Enrique Has Decided on the Next Parisian Penalty Taker

- Barça's Squad Against Mallorca Announced, Rashford and Garcia Well Registered!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

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