The 2024 year was by no means Barca’s best year. Barca started on an absolute low and ended on a low again. However, there were moments of jubilation, and Barca played some quality football.
So please sit back and let me take you on this roller coaster ride of Barca’s 2024 journey.
The Downfall of Xavi’s Barca
January: A month to forget
Barca’s 2024 began disastrously as Xavi’s men suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat in a Clasico at The Spanish Super Cup final. A few days later, Athletic Bilbao eliminated the Catalans from another competition, i.e., The Copa Del Ray (4-2). The La Liga race also got tougher when Villareal secured a shocking 5-3 win at home, which was marked by a VAR controversy. It was a month to forget.
March-April
Barca showed some promise as it faced Napoli in the UCL round of 16. Barca defeated Napoli 3-1 in the second leg and qualified for the quarter-finals. Xavi’s side also struck three goals past Jan Oblak’s net in a victory over Simeone’s Atletico in La Liga. A nice comeback, it was, but April successfully managed to bombshell happy culers.
A 3-2 first-leg win over PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals raised hopes, only for a crushing 4-1 defeat in Paris. Barca started off well with Raphinha’s early goal. But a 28th-minute red card to Ronald Araujo changed the entire game’s trajectory, as Enrique’s PSG proved too hot to handle for Xavi’s 10 men Barca. The month ended with another sad defeat in La Liga, as Bellingham netted a late winner for Madrid and secured a tight 3-2 victory over Barca. Xavi’s run with Barca looked over.
May: The End Of Xavi’s Era
Barca’s trophy less season was sealed with a 4-2 defeat from Girona. Despite finishing 2nd in La Liga, the club decided to part ways with Xavi. The club legend, disappointed, wished Barca the best and left.
A New Era Under Hansi Flick
German coach Hansi Flick was appointed the new manager. The coach brought tactical innovation, particularly with an aggressive offside trap that became more of a hallmark of his strategy. Barca offloaded many players, including club captain Sergi Roberto. The more notable signings include Dani Olmo, who had a stellar European Championship in the summer.
Bright Start: Renewed Barca
Barca enjoyed a strong start under Flick, scoring heavily and winning seven of their first nine matches. The team peaked in October, delivering a 4-1 thrashing to Bayern and a 4-0 spanking to Real Madrid in the same week. Lamine Yamal became the trivela prince and bagged many assists, while veterans Lewandowski and Raphinha scored heavily.
The Late-Year Slump
Barca’s great start crumbled in the last two months of the year. The Blaugrana choked a 9-point lead and now stand at third in the La Liga table. There have been a few off-field issues, including Dani Olmo and Pau Victor’s registration delays. The year ended with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Notable Highlights of The Year
- Lamine Yamal emerged as Barca’s best player and has been hugely compared to Leo Messi. Barca only lost once this season when Yamal started. His impact, at such a young age, has been phenomenal.
- Barca has scored the most goals in Europe (96) and caused 109 offsides.
- The October Victories over Bayern and Madrid are genuinely the highlights of the year.
- Araujo’s red card against PSG remains a nightmare for the culers.
- Barca’s never ending faith in La Masia continues: Cubarsi, Casado, Bernal and many other young superstars shine in Barca.
Flick’s Barca is definitely a work in progress. However, the players and fans show complete faith in the German coach as Barca prepare to lift silverware in the coming 2025 year. Visca Barca!
Very nice