Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona has been transformed into an offensive spectacle, every game being played looks to be a masterclass in finding the back of the net. Riding on 101 goals in 32 games, the Catalan outfit is moving on the wave of numbers which explains, on one hand, their collective strength and, on the other hand, places Flick on the pedestal reserved for the greatest coaches in club history.
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Historic. No other word will do for 2024/25. In many ways, it seems like Barcelona has rediscovered its offensive DNA: leading together a roster comprising sharp veterans along with promising young talents with a coach who not only understood the club's tradition but knew how to adapt the same to the game today.
Impressing statistics
Reaching 101 goals in 32 matches is something only legends like Helenio Herrera have done before-and he did it one game less in the 1950s. However, it is worth mentioning how much soccer has grown. Nowadays, the defenses are more organized, and every particular detail is analyzed by opponents. This is where Hansi Flick's achievement becomes even bigger. For example, icons like Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, and Luis Enrique needed more time to reach this number.
This milestone is supported by a diverse roster that shares responsibilities and talent. Robert Lewandowski, with his 29 goals, is the standout. No surprise there, the Polish forward is a natural finisher. But what really stands out is the support from players like Raphinha (23 goals) and the young phenomenon Lamine Yamal (9 goals), who seems destined for greatness.
Instead, this is a collective Barça of attackers, with 15 different scorers so far, making it difficult to predict who might score the next goal. The fact that it is unpredictable makes life more difficult for the opposing defenses and cements the notion that Flick has struck a balance between individual brilliance and group strength.
Dominance over major rivals
It's not the quantity of goals that impresses, but rather who they've been scored against. Real Madrid, their eternal rival, has conceded nine goals to Barcelona this season-a number that is more than just a stat, underlining the dominance of Barça in the most-watched derby in soccer. The 4-0 win at Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga and the 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup were defining moments that showcased the Blaugrana's offensive firepower.
As for Valencia, the story is even worse. Seven goals conceded in a single game at Estadi Olímpic mirror the despair of a team unable to hold at the intensity and precision that the attack from Flick displayed. The mentioned game has come to mean the season when Barcelona operates on a completely different technical and tactical level than the rest.
Hansi Flick's formula
Hansi Flick arrived at Barcelona full of doubt. The German, fresh from beautiful work with the country's national team and Bayern Munich, brought along, besides the heaviest of playing styles, a winning mentality. He seems to have found just the right kind of formula: a balance between a tiki-taka style so typical and characteristic of the Catalonian-based team and, of course, German vertikalitet in soccer.
That can be seen from the numbers: 59 in La Liga, 26 in Champions League, 9 in Copa del Rey, and 7 in the Spanish Super Cup. This team does not make differences between tournaments; it always keeps the same hunger. It is more than just statistics; it is translating an irrepressible team that years for triumph and never stops.
Flick has given a new lease of life to players like Raphinha, who is having the season of his life, and Lamine Yamal, a prodigy seemingly destined to lead the club in the future. Meanwhile, names like Lewandowski and Pedri remain pillars.