Barcelona Destroys Opponents. Flick Has Launched a True Victory Machine

The Catalans are averaging four goals per game.

While European football has been reshuffling power, with players moving to various clubs, the role of continental leader has been left vacant. Real won the last Champions League, but it was more out of momentum due to Borussia Dortmund being in the final. Had that match been played now, it’s unclear who would emerge victorious.

Only Manchester City has remained consistently strong. Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland stayed fit, and the rest of the squad didn’t scatter, allowing Pep Guardiola to keep churning out wins — with few exceptions. Despite Haaland seemingly finding his rhythm, City still lost 1-4 to Sporting, marking their second consecutive defeat.

Liverpool is also performing well, but it’s worth noting that they changed managers in the off-season. Arne Slot seems to have settled in, and the Reds confidently lead the Premier League and the Champions League. However, surprises may still arise despite the stability and cohesion fostered by Jurgen Klopp over nearly a decade.

So, who could challenge these two English giants? Italy lacks a dominant force, Bayern in Germany no longer appears invincible, and PSG has struggled even before Kylian Mbappe’s departure, only to fade further afterward. Surprisingly, the answer has come from Spain. The aging, rebuilding Real isn’t yet competitive, and Atletico, as always, cannot afford flashy transfers, staying afloat through Diego Simeone's coaching brilliance. Amid competitors’ challenges, Barcelona has stepped into the spotlight.

The Catalans were already a formidable force last season. Still, the young team needed more experience and a firm managerial hand. Over the summer, Barcelona’s young talents made great strides. Lamine Yamal, for instance, is now a European champion with the Spanish national team. And Hans-Dieter Flick, a German coach who shaped a much more experienced Bayern, has brought much-needed discipline to Barcelona.

Alongside youth, experience has found new life. Robert Lewandowski, who seemed resigned to gradually finishing his career, has suddenly become a prolific scorer. Currently, the Pole has 99 Champions League goals. His next goal will be both a milestone and a step closer to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (with 129 and 141 goals, respectively). Beating their records may be unlikely, but why not dream?

This has led to Barcelona winning their last seven matches with an aggregate score of 28:5. This means they concede less than one goal per game and score an average of four. The only real issue was the goalkeeper position after Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury. Still, Wojciech Szczęsny arrived just in time to fill the gap. This situation has even led to some mocking comments from opponents, suggesting that Barca is so good that they can afford to put someone in goal who has been more known for his blunders. After all, Szczęsny was a lifelong smoker who only recently quit, not just with nicotine but also with football.

Of course, this is mostly in jest — Szczęsny is a top professional. As for the usual complaints from detractors about the team’s opponents, here’s the answer: Real and Bayern. Results? 4-0 and 4-1. So, against elite teams, they’re scoring and conceding at exactly their average rates.

This season may be dominated by Catalonia. At the moment, no more formidable team can be seen across Europe. Barcelona's only drawback is a need for more experience. After all, achieving consistent results over a long season is crucial. And here, City and Liverpool indeed hold an advantage. But we can thank Barca for ensuring this season isn't just another English affair.

Published by Patrick Jane
07.11.2024