Barcelona just stopped in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid. This result leaves them with only goals in La Liga, where Barca is 9 points ahead of Real Madrid and has 7 more matches in hand, including El Clasico on May 11, a match that could decide the championship.
Although this season they may only win La Liga, Hansi Flick's team's journey is still very proud. They also stopped before Atletico Madrid at Copa del Rey but the scenario was similar to the recent Champions League quarter-finals. The Camp Nou home team lost widely in the first leg, then rose up with everything they had in the second leg but could not equalize the gap.
In previous years under Ronald Koeman or Xavi, defeats like this would leave many criticisms, but under Hansi Flick, everyone believes that if rebuilt, the team will play even better. Especially with the German coach, fans believe the team will improve even more as young talents become more and more mature.
When Flick arrived in May 2024, that was the transition period of the team. However, it seems that the former Bayern Munich captain immediately brought home titles. Without too much investment, Barca won the domestic treble and is preparing to successfully defend the La Liga throne.
Hansi Flick's current contract with Barcelona will expire in June 2027 and right from this moment, Joan Laporta wants to extend it further. Last month, the 61-year-old strategist said that the job at Camp Nou will be the final stage in his coaching career. Therefore, Flick will stay for many more years as a foundation for Barcelona to continue this right path.
In the summer of 2026, the team will have to add a lot of personnel to continue competing. One of the reasons Barca lost to Atletico Madrid is that the personnel did not meet the demand. They have many injuries, especially in very important cases like Raphinha. Lamine Yamal is still playing very prominently, but the 18-year-old striker alone is not enough in harsh competitions like the Champions League.
Barcelona may have one of the strongest starting squads in Europe, but they do not have one of the strongest reserve squads. This is very necessary to win the Champions League title.
Now, everything in the Champions League should be put aside immediately so that everyone can focus on the La Liga race. For the first time in many years, Barcelona has the opportunity to officially win the championship immediately if they beat Real Madrid in the El Clasico next month, if the results of both teams are good from now until then.
A big team like Barcelona always aims for the Champions League, but this is not always satisfactory. In 11 years of Barcelona not winning the Champions League, Real Madrid has done it 5 more times. The word "fate" in this playground is very important. If they continue to build a good force, train and raise young talents regularly, when they are strong enough and the opportunity comes, Barcelona will definitely grasp it.
Barcelona has the ability to successfully defend the La Liga championship, they caused a stir at Camp Nou in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico when they played one of the best matches of the season but were still eliminated. This season may still be very special with an El Clasico feast and that is what they need to overcome. That match may also be part of the success process of a project that is still very promising.
