FC Barcelona, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, have had a season that has turned heads across Europe. An amazing, brutal start to the season took the world by a storm, but the storm did lose it’s strenght after a while. Their usual struggles and difficulties in breaking down teams in low-blocks have reocurred from time to time, resulting in a six-point gap to league leaders Atlético, but the Champions League is a whole different story.
Despite doubts and a history of struggling against elite teams in recent years, Barcelona’s performances this season against top-level opposition have showcased a team built not just on talent but on tactical brilliance. This season’s campaign brings back memories of Barça winning six trophies in 2009, including the Champions League, under Pep Guardiola. The Copa del Rey was also a significant part of their treble-winning seasons, highlighting their dominance in both domestic and international football.
Let’s take a closer look at five pivotal matches that highlight why they are strong contenders for this year’s Champions League crown.
1. Barcelona 4-1 Bayern München: Overcoming the Champions League Trauma
For many Barcelona fans, Bayern München represents a recurring nightmare – a team synonymous with painful memories, none more haunting than the infamous 8-2 defeat in 2020. This season, however, the script was rewritten. Ironically, it was Hansi Flick, Bayern’s coach from that traumatic night, now in charge of Barcelona, who masterminded a stunning Champions League victory.
The match began with Bayern exerting significant pressure, leveling the score soon after Barcelona’s opener. Yet, the Blaugrana remained composed, gradually asserting dominance. By halftime, they led 3-1, with a fourth added in the second half. Remarkably, Barcelona’s defensive organization saw them allow no shots on target in the final 45 minutes.
The standout performer? Raphinha, who dazzled with a sublime hat-trick—his first in the Champions League—illustrating his growing importance in the team.
2. Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona: High Risk, High Reward
Fresh from their triumph over Bayern, Barcelona faced arch-rivals Real Madrid. The first half was a tense, balanced affair, but the second half saw an explosion of attacking football. Robert Lewandowski’s quickfire double within two minutes broke Madrid’s resolve. Two more late goals sealed a resounding 4-0 win, a devastating blow for Los Blancos.
This match was notable for Barcelona’s daring high defensive line, designed to trap Real Madrid’s pacey forwards. Critics predicted disaster, but the plan worked to perfection – Madrid were caught offside 12 times, with Kylian Mbappé flagged a career-high eight times in a single game. It was a masterstroke of defensive strategy and execution.
3. Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona: Never Say Die
Amidst a bit of a crisis in LaLiga, with only one win in their last 5 domestic encounters, a daunting trip to Borussia Dortmund lied ahead. The home side boasted a formidable 12-match unbeaten run in the Champions League. Barcelona twice took the lead, only for Dortmund to hit back swiftly each time. However, resilience—a trait often missing in recent seasons—came to the fore. Five minutes from time, Ferran Torres emerged from the bench to net a crucial winner.
This match highlighted Barcelona’s depth and mental strength. Ferran’s impact off the bench underlined the squad’s versatility, a key asset in any team’s pursuit of glory.
4. Atlético Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: An Inspiring Defeat
Not all great performances end in victory. Barcelona’s narrow loss to Atlético Madrid may seem like a setback on paper, but their first-half display was arguably their finest 45 minutes of the season. Dominating possession and creating seven clear-cut chances, their finishing let them down as they converted only one.
Despite the result, the performance might serve as inspiration and a tactical blueprint for what’s to come. The control, creativity, and relentless attacking intent offered a glimpse into the team’s immense potential, reminding many Blaugrana fans of the glory days.
5. Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona: Supercup Supremacy
The Spanish Supercup final against Real Madrid provided another stage for Barcelona to showcase their superiority. A lightning-fast counter saw Madrid take an early lead through Mbappé, but Barcelona responded with a breathtaking attacking display, carving through Los Blancos’ virtually inexistent press time and time again. By halftime, they had fired four goals past Courtois. A fifth followed early in the second half.
Even after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny’s red card reduced them to ten men, Barcelona remained compact and disciplined. Madrid managed just one goal from the ensuing free kick, and their famed comeback spirit was stifled by a well-organized defense that allowed only two shots on target.
A World-Class Attacking Trio
Barça have been firing on all cylinders since the very start of the season, scoring on average just over three goals per game. Much of the goals come down to their starting front three, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
The Brazilian winger found another gear to his game, if not two. He’s just one short of 30 goal involvements mid-January! Everything he touches seems to turn to gold all season long, whether it’s bagging goals or setting them up.
The veteran striker shows no signs of slowing down, despite the age of 37. Who knows, maybe being surrounded by a bunch of teenagers in Barça’s locker room has Lewandowski feeling like a kid once again. Whatever it may be, it definitely suits him, as he’s almost got 30 goals and we’re not even in February.
The trio is completed by Barça’s Golden Boy. So good, so mature, so well-balanced that it seems impossible to believe he’s only 17. Dazzling dribbles, remarkable variety and range of passes, ice cool nerves… Lamine Yamal is set to take over from the biggest names even before his 18th birthday and everything suggests that he’ll keep the throne to himself for years, decades to come. He’s just that good.
Conclusion
It’s still very early days and their season has definitely been a rollercoaster ride so far, with quite a gap between them and the top of LaLiga, but certain performances, especially against top-level opposition, tell us that this Barcelona team, despite it’s youth and lack of experience and squad depth is very formidable. The way Hansi Flick has set them up, a more direct, aggressive approach that isn’t hesitant to sit back and exploit their pace on the counter when protecting a lead against big sides… it might just be the winning formula for this season’s Champions League. The way is, of course, very long and the remaining two games of the league phase (Benfica away and Atalanta at home) will certainly tell us a lot more.
One thing, however, is safe to say. They’ll definitely be in the mix and, should they find their late summer/early autumn form, don’t write off LaLiga just yet.