Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title on Thursday, their first league triumph in six years, thanks to a commanding 2-0 win over Espanyol. Under German coach Hansi Flick , the Catalan giants have undergone a transformation that allowed them to wrest the crown from archrivals Real Madrid with two matches to spare. AFP Sport analyses the key factors behind Flick's success.
Explosive Attack from BarcelonaFlick's side impressed with their attacking prowess, scoring 97 goals in 36 league games-23 more than second-placed Real Madrid. From a dominant 7-0 victory over Valladolid in August to hitting four or more goals in 13 league matches, Barcelona's offensive firepower was relentless.
Seventeen-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal led the creative charge with 13 assists, feeding veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored 25 goals, and the dynamic winger Raphinha, who notched 18 goals and 9 assists. Flick's decision to retain Raphinha paid off, with the Brazilian crediting the coach for revitalising his career.
Defensively, Flick implemented a high pressing line that often exposed risks but largely suffocated opponents, including Real Madrid in their recent Clasico, where the visitors failed to touch the ball in Barca's half for the first 24 minutes.
Mentality Over ExcusesFlick instilled a resilient mentality, steering clear of excuses unlike his predecessor Xavi Hernandez, who lamented setbacks in a trophyless season. This new mindset empowered Barcelona players to take responsibility for their performances, fueling impressive comebacks, including overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Real Madrid 4-3 in May's Clasico.