Barcelona are back on track in the Champions League, and their commanding 5-2 win over Red Star Belgrade is a testament to Hansi Flick’s transformative influence on the squad.
With this victory, Barcelona has now secured three consecutive wins in Europe’s premier competition, taking them to sixth place in the 36-team table on nine points.
The Blaugrana’s success, marked by an incredible 55 goals across all competitions this season, is powered by a combination of Flick’s strategic vision and the scoring brilliance of Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona’s progress in the Champions League under Flick has been impressive. Following Flick’s tenure with Bayern Munich, where he led them to a Champions League title in 2020, expectations were high as he took over at Barcelona.
So far, he has delivered, with Barcelona scoring 15 goals in just four Champions League matches. This scoring prowess, matched only by Europe’s elite, is proof of Flick’s commitment to attacking football while maintaining a strong defensive core.
After Barcelona’s win over Red Star, Flick praised his team’s determination and focus, highlighting their discipline throughout the match. “The most important thing is the three points. It’s not easy to win away from home in this competition, the Champions League is complicated,” Flick told Movistar Plus. “I’m very happy, I really value what we’re doing. We’ve been very good on the ball, and we’ve put a lot of pressure on.”
Lewandowski: Barcelona’s Scoring Machine
Robert Lewandowski has been central to Barcelona’s success this season, delivering crucial goals in both domestic and European competitions. With his two goals against Red Star, Lewandowski joined Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres at the top of the Champions League scoring charts, each with five goals.
Lewandowski has scored 19 goals in 16 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, the highest tally for any player from the top-five European leagues. He has been particularly effective in away games, scoring 11 of his 19 goals on the road.
His goal-scoring consistency is a direct result of Flick’s offensive tactics, which aim to maximize opportunities for Barcelona’s forward line while maintaining defensive solidity.
Speaking about Flick’s style, Lewandowski expressed his appreciation for the aggressive approach: “Since the beginning of the season, we have had a goal: to play very attacking football but without losing sight of how well our defensive line has been playing,” Lewandowski said. “Everything that works so far is almost perfect. We have to look at what we can do better, sure, but I feel very good, and the team is very happy.”
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Flick’s Influence: A Balance Between Attack and Defense
Hansi Flick’s approach to managing Barcelona has been to emphasize high-tempo, attacking football. This strategy has not only allowed Barcelona to rack up goals but also provided a solid defensive structure to keep opponents at bay.
Flick’s tactical focus on pressing high and controlling possession is evident in how Barcelona have outscored every team in the Champions League thus far. Their high-energy play style has been challenging for opponents like Red Star, who were forced into defensive positions to contain Barcelona’s relentless attack.
After the game, Flick highlighted how Red Star’s defensive play required Barcelona to stay patient. “Red Star played very well, they knew how to play with the ball, and it’s difficult to defend against them,” he said. “I appreciate my players being focused for 90 minutes because it’s not easy.”
This season’s Champions League format demands that away victories are crucial to a team’s success, and Barcelona’s impressive form on the road has put them in a strong position.
In his post-match comments, Lewandowski acknowledged the importance of securing wins in away matches, especially with Barcelona’s tight schedule of European and domestic fixtures.
“In the first half, we played a bit slow, but in the second half, we had a lot of chances,” Lewandowski noted. “Sometimes, when a team plays very defensively like Red Star today, we need a bit of patience. I’m always looking for a free space to be able to touch a ball and score. That’s why I’m very happy. As a team, we played very well.”
Barcelona’s Stellar Season by the Numbers
Barcelona’s incredible start to the season isn’t just about winning—it’s about how they’re winning. Their 55 goals across 16 games this season are more than any team in Europe’s big-five leagues, and their 14 wins put them on par with Liverpool as the teams with the most victories across all competitions.
While Lewandowski’s scoring achievements are notable, the team’s balance and depth have been essential to their success. Alongside him, players like Raphinha, Inigo Martinez, and young talent Fermi Lopez have stepped up, contributing to Barcelona’s diverse scoring sheet.
