After taking on from Xavi Hernandez in the summertime, Hansi Flick initially introduced contemporary optimism to FC Barcelona, with the early kind suggesting that the Catalans would run away with the La Liga title.
However the crew has struggled in current league matches, incomes simply 5 factors from the final 18 out there. This droop has allowed rivals Atletico Madrid and Actual Madrid to catch up within the title race.
No higher than Xavi’s Barcelona
Presently, on Sunday evening in La Liga, Flick’s Barcelona have 38 factors from 18 matches.
It occurs to be the identical variety of factors as Xavi’s crew had collected at this level final season.
The important thing distinction is that Barcelona lead the league desk and have a superior objective distinction as effectively in comparison with final season, however they’ve performed a sport greater than Atletico and Actual Madrid.
Final 12 months, at this stage, Girona and Actual Madrid had 45 factors, whereas Barça have been in fourth place, stage with Atletico on 38 factors.
If the 2 Madrid groups win their sport in hand, .
Regardless of the current struggles, this Barça is extra enticing to look at, as proven by their attacking stats. Flick’s crew has scored 50 targets and conceded 20, whereas Xavi’s crew at this stage had scored 34 and shipped in 21 targets.
A starker comparability comes when wanting again to the 2022-23 season, when Xavi’s Barça received the La Liga title. On the 18-match mark that season, Barcelona have been prime with 47 factors, forward of Actual Madrid with 44 and Actual Sociedad with 28.
Barcelona went on to win La Liga that season with 88 factors, 10 forward of second-placed Los Blancos.
Flick’s Champions League journey
It stays to be seen how Hansi Flick’s Barça fares within the Champions League. Thus far, the Catalans have loved a optimistic run in Europe, sitting second within the league part desk with 5 wins from six video games.
Presently, they’re well-placed to complete within the High 8 and progress on to the knockout rounds.
Xavi’s crew additionally superior to the 2023-24 Champions League quarterfinals, defeating Napoli within the first knockout spherical, earlier than being eradicated by PSG, a tie marked by Ronald Araujo’s pink card within the second leg at Montjuïc.
