In numbers – How Barcelona’s start to 2025/26 campaign compares with Flick’s debut season | OneFootball

It is a known fact that Barcelona have been criticised for a slow start to the 2025/26 season under Hansi Flick. Yet, if you focus solely on the numbers, the story looks very different.

In terms of results, Flick’s second year at the club mirrors his first almost exactly. After two months of football, Barcelona have played 11 official matches, nine in La Liga and two in the Champions League, registering eight wins, one draw, and two losses.

Last season, the record was nine wins, zero draws, and two defeats. Essentially, the only difference is two points, a single draw instead of a win.

From a purely statistical standpoint, the team cannot be blamed for poor form. When it comes to goals, the gap compared to last season is slightly bigger.

In La Liga this term, Barcelona have scored 24 goals and conceded 10, compared to 28 scored and 9 conceded last year.

Even then, the numbers are far from alarming. They suggest that Flick’s side is performing on a level similar to the season they secured the national treble.

Player concerns and tactical struggles

The issue, however, goes beyond stats. The players themselves admit that the team is not comfortable on the pitch, and calls for more intensity are growing louder.

Barcelona are heavily reliant on Pedri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Pedri, following the win against Girona, highlighted the need for improvement, saying the team must raise its level across the board.

Defensively, opponents are starting to exploit Barça’s high line, and the team is less solid.

Offensively, the fluidity and efficiency of last season is missing, with Robert Lewandowski sidelined and Raphinha injured. The midfield is also struggling, with Olmo below his best and Gavi still recovering.

Reliant on individual brilliance

Currently, the team relies heavily on stars Pedri and Lamine Yamal. The midfielder is playing every match and is beginning to show signs of fatigue, while Yamal has been in and out due to injuries.

Recent defeats to PSG, Flick’s first instance of being outplayed, and Sevilla, which featured one of the worst first halves under the coach, have also shaken the dressing room.

Whether the narrow victory over Girona will ease the pressure remains to be seen, but the truth is clear: sometimes numbers do not tell the full story.