One year ago, Barcelona was riding high with the Super Cup title, a strong position in the Copa del Rey, and a comfortable lead in the First Division. They had an impressive win record, scoring goals aplenty while conceding very few. However, their ongoing struggles in the Champions League led them to seek redemption in the Europa League.
Fast forward to the present, and Barcelona finds itself in a deep institutional crisis. They have already been eliminated from the Super Cup and Copa del Rey, conceding multiple goals in key matches. In the league, they trail the leaders by eight points, and their hopes of a Champions League comeback are overshadowed by doubts surrounding the team’s fragility under Xavi’s leadership.
Institutionally, the club continues to face investigations and their financial situation limits their ability to make significant signings. The current board can only bring in players on free transfers or loans. Meanwhile, the legal case surrounding the Negreira scandal has extended its reach to include middle managers within the club’s structure, with former official José María Enríquez Negreira facing direct accusations.
Economically, Barcelona is burdened by the ongoing Camp Nou remodeling project and is struggling to stabilize their accounts. This financial uncertainty, combined with recent defeats, has made Xavi’s desired signings seem almost impossible. Furthermore, failing to secure a top-two spot in the league will result in the team missing out on five million euros for the next Super Cup edition.
On the field, Barcelona’s defensive vulnerability is a cause for concern, with opponents often taking an early lead. This season, they have already conceded more goals than they did at this point last year. In terms of goal scoring, they are not far behind, but the team’s inconsistent performances have added to the pressure on Xavi, who finds himself receiving referee warnings and facing growing scrutiny.
Despite the challenges, Xavi’s position as head coach remains secure, mainly due to the limited options available to the board. The ultimate judgment will come from the Champions League, which could determine the team’s fate under Xavi’s leadership.