The hardest question to answer for any big club in Europe is how to win the Champions League.
PSG just made it two in a row. That being said, Nasser Al-Khelaifi had been splashing money for over ten years prior to that, which included bringing in three of the biggest names in football, but to no avail.
One thing that seems clear is that bringing in the right coach is the critical first step. Luis Enrique was a game changer for PSG, the same way that Zinedine Zidane was a game changer for Real Madrid.
It’s still shocking to imagine that Zidane won three in a row, while Luis Enrique could very well accomplish the same feat a year from now when PSG will once again be considered the favorites.
As a Barca fan, I have to admit I’ve blacked out much of the success that Real Madrid has had in Europe. The truth is, however, since Barcelona last won the competition against Juventus with Luis Enrique at the helm in 2015, Real Madrid has raised that glorious trophy five times. Something much change.
Barcelona has crossed the first threshold. They have a proven Champions League winner in Hansi Flick in charge. In fact, in spite of the disappointing eliminations in his first two years, Barcelona were serious contenders in the competition. They aren’t far away from where they want to be.
They may not have the spending power of a PSG or Real Madrid, or most of the other big European clubs, but they must invent, and invest wisely, in building depth, if they want to be in the strongest position possible come the Spring of 2027.
Bringing in Anthony Gordon was a great sign that Joan Laporta is serious. He went out and got the player that Flick wanted. It can’t stop there though.
Barcelona needs one or two more forwards, especially a striker, and they really need to fortify the defensive line. Marcus Rashford at 30 million euros, along with a center forward, seems like a solid way to go.
We can’t stress enough, however, how important it will be to have a reliable defense. Even Arsenal, who built a reputation for attacking football, have relied on defense and set pieces under Mikel Arteta this season to help them go the distance in both England and the Champions League.
Flick’s tactics will always be high-risk, high reward. That’s not likely to change.
The best way to get the most of out it is to have defenders who are not only talented and physical, but who are smart enough to manage an offside trap that makes the system go.
If Barcelona can’t invest adequately in defenders, then Flick may have to adapt his tactics, especially in Europe.
The Blaugrana won’t be able to compete mano a mano with the bank account of PSG. One lesson they should learn from the French giants, however, is that it’s not just about how much you spend, but who you spend it on.
A lot will be riding on what Deco can do. Not just a willingness to write checks, but by coming up with a strategy with Hansi Flick, who knows better than anyone else what he needs to bring his team to the next level.
Barcelona are off to an exciting start this summer, but the journey to Madrid for the Champions League final in 2027 is just getting started.
