From uncertainty to dominance – The mastermind behind Barcelona’s revival in just one year | OneFootball

Football is a sport where situations can change dramatically in a short period, and Barcelona are a perfect example of that.

To put things in perspective, it is crucial to travel back in time. The Catalan giants endured a turbulent start to 2024, facing difficulties at all levels, but as 2025 begins, they have completely turned things around, experiencing a string of successes.

The contrast between the two years is stark. At the beginning of 2024, Barcelona suffered multiple setbacks, including a painful loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, an early elimination from the Copa del Rey, and the unexpected announcement that Xavi would step down.

Fast forward to 2025, and under Hansi Flick, the team is flourishing, scoring freely, winning silverware, and breaking records.

Looking back

Barcelona struggled under Xavi. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona’s struggles in early 2024 were evident from the outset. They kicked off the year with a narrow 2-1 victory over Las Palmas in La Liga, followed by a hard-fought 3-2 win against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey.

The warning signs were there, and soon after the Barbastro match, Barcelona travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, hoping to secure their first trophy of the season.

They edged past Osasuna in the semi-final, but their hopes were crushed in the final by Real Madrid, suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat. The loss left the squad demoralised and raised serious questions about the team’s trajectory.

Following that disappointment, Barcelona managed to scrape past Unionistas in the Copa del Rey and secured a tight 2-1 victory against Real Betis in La Liga.

However, their struggles continued in the knockout competitions. They faced Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey and were eliminated after a 4-2 defeat.

Just three days later, things went from bad to worse when Villarreal handed them another crushing defeat at home. It was at this point that the situation reached the breaking point.

Xavi held discussions with the club president and publicly confirmed that he would step down at the end of the season.

Barcelona’s first 11 matches of 2024 concluded with seven wins—many of them by narrow margins—three losses, and one draw. The team was visibly struggling, both in performance and morale.

Things have changed… a lot!

Hansi Flick has transformed Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

A year later, the landscape looks entirely different. Under Flick, Barcelona have undergone a remarkable transformation. The team is in scintillating form, scoring at an impressive rate, nearing historical milestones, and even securing the Spanish Super Cup.

In their first 11 matches of 2025, they have only dropped points in two games—both draws. More impressively, they have scored four or more goals in six of these matches, including a stunning 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Barcelona’s league position has also improved significantly. At the start of 2024, they were struggling, sitting eight points behind the league leaders and six points adrift of second-placed Girona.

Now, the gap has narrowed, with Barcelona trailing Real Madrid by just two points and sitting only one point behind Atletico Madrid.

From a team in crisis to a side thriving under a new manager, Barcelona’s journey from 2024 to 2025 highlights just how quickly things can change in football.

With momentum on their side, Flick’s team now looks well-positioned to challenge for multiple trophies and restore Barcelona’s status among Europe’s elite.