Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title on Thursday—only their second in the past six years—under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick, whose high-intensity style and attacking philosophy revitalized the Catalan giants.
A 2-0 win over Espanyol sealed the title with two matches to spare, as Flick’s side surged past rivals Real Madrid with a blistering 97 goals in 36 games—23 more than the runners-up.
Flick’s approach was clear from the start, with a 7-0 demolition of Valladolid in August setting the tone. Barcelona would go on to score four or more goals in 13 league matches.
Key to their success was the attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha. Yamal, only 17, topped the assist charts in Spain with 13. Lewandowski netted 25 goals, while Raphinha, convinced by Flick to stay at the club, delivered a career-best season with 18 goals and nine assists.
Flick’s aggressive high defensive line often left them exposed but was instrumental in keeping the pressure on opponents, including Real Madrid. In the recent Clasico, he noted, “For 24 minutes Real Madrid didn’t touch the ball in our half.”
Unlike his predecessor Xavi Hernandez, Flick avoided making excuses, even during difficult periods. His no-nonsense mentality empowered players to take responsibility and sparked several notable comebacks, including a 4-3 win over Real Madrid from 2-0 down on May 11.
Flick’s leadership has created a team that thrives under pressure and enjoys playing with flair. Midfielder Pedri, now fully fit, has been central to this transformation. Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described him as “absolutely incredible.”
Despite early season struggles and a poor run in November and December, which saw Barcelona lose to Leganes and Las Palmas, Flick made key adjustments. He reinstated Frenkie de Jong to midfield and replaced goalkeeper Inaki Pena with Wojciech Szczesny.
From that point, Barca went on a 24-match unbeaten run across all competitions, retaking the lead in La Liga and never looking back.
Flick also showed trust in underperforming players. Eric Garcia stepped up when called upon, Ferran Torres emerged as a reliable contributor, and Inigo Martinez formed a solid defensive pairing with teenage breakout star Pau Cubarsi.
Barcelona’s return to the top is a product of Flick’s tactical clarity, squad management, and unwavering belief in his players.
