Since taking charge, Hansi Flick has relied on Barcelona’s powerful attacking system to mask weaknesses in defense. This aggressive offensive approach has often helped the team overcome difficult matches.
However, Barcelona’s attacking brilliance has recently begun to fade. Several key forwards have fallen into poor form, and finding a way to reignite the frontline has become Flick’s biggest challenge.
Barcelona’s Attacking Efficiency Drops Sharply
Recent match data shows that the attacking efficiency of Barcelona’s two main forwards has dropped significantly. At present, only young talent Lamine Yamal has maintained a consistent attacking output.
In the crucial Champions League away match against Newcastle, Yamal kept his composure late in the game and converted a dramatic equalizing penalty, reaching the milestone of 20 goals this season.
Without Yamal’s outstanding contribution, Barcelona’s attack would have lost much of the brilliance it displayed last season, with a lack of firepower becoming one of the team’s most pressing issues.
Raphinha Struggles After Injury Return
After returning from injury, Raphinha has yet to regain his best form. His attacking performances this season have fallen short of fans’ expectations.
Statistics show that in the six matches since his return, Raphinha has scored only once from the penalty spot and has failed to score in open play. Such output is clearly inconsistent with his role as one of the team’s key attacking players.
Lewandowski’s Goal Drought Continues
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has also been struggling with form. Although he returned to the starting lineup in the decisive Champions League clash against Newcastle, his goal drought has yet to end.
Over the past month, Lewandowski has scored only one goal, which came in Barcelona’s 4–1 league victory over Villarreal. This suggests that his attacking impact has noticeably declined when facing stronger opponents.
Significant Drop in the Frontline Duo’s Season Statistics
Compared with the same stage last season, the performances of both Lewandowski and Raphinha have declined considerably.
By the 27th round of the 2024–25 La Liga season, Lewandowski had already scored 22 league goals. This season, however, he has managed only 11 goals at this stage, indicating a significant drop in attacking efficiency.
Raphinha’s league performance has also been less impressive. He has scored 8 La Liga goals so far this season, compared with 13 goals at the same point last season.
His decline has been even more noticeable in the Champions League, where he had already scored 9 goals by this stage last season, making him the team’s top scorer in Europe. This season, however, he has managed only one goal, highlighting a dramatic drop in form.
Struggling Attack Becomes Flick’s Biggest Challenge
With Barcelona’s attack continuing to falter, finding a way to revive Raphinha and Lewandowski and restore the team’s offensive firepower has become Flick’s most urgent challenge. How quickly he can solve this problem may ultimately determine Barcelona’s trajectory for the rest of the season.
