Barça has had a great season, which it hopes will mark a change of cycle and the beginning of a title-laden Flick era. To begin with, in the German’s first year at the helm, the team has won three titles: the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and LaLiga. The Champions League has eluded the Azulgrana, but they have certainly excited and convinced with a style of play reminiscent of the purest essence of Barça that brought so much joy in the past.
Many see Hansi Flick as the architect of Barça’s success, and this is undoubtedly true, but the German coach has repeatedly emphasized his pride in the team and the group, without wanting to focus on any individual player. It is true that one of the strengths of the Barça team has been the high quality of its B team, but there is no doubt that much of its success has been down to its scoring ability.
A goal-scoring Barça
Barça has won the league title and has done so largely on the basis of goals. So far, they have scored 99 goals in 37 games and are aiming to become the ninth team to reach the 100-goal mark after 2016-17 (116), 2012-13 (115), 2011-12 (114), 2015-16 (112), 2014-15 (110), 2008-09 (105), 1996-97 (102) and 2013-14 (100). This is a great figure that they hope to achieve at San Mamés on Sunday against Athletic, something that seems very possible given that Barça has not failed to score in practically any game this season.
With their two goals against Villarreal, Barça reached the 171-goal mark in all competitions, equaling their fourth-best goal tally, as they also reached 171 in 16/17. They are now just two away from the 173 they scored in 2015/16. What seems unattainable is the all-time record of 190 goals scored in 2011-12.
The LRL as the best example
Their scoring prowess is highlighted by their lethal trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski. Between them, the three players have scored 29 goals in the Champions League, two more than Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar in 2014-2015. In addition, Raphinha has scored 13 goals, tying him with Guirassy for the competition’s top scorer.
Between them, they have scored 52 goals in La Liga, with Lewandowski the top scorer with 25, although it looks like he will miss out on the top scorer title as Kylian Mbappé has taken the lead with 29 goals with only one game to go. Beyond the title, the Polish striker has shown that he is still in great shape despite his age, but Barça are already working on finding a number 9 for the future.
The search for Lewandowski’s heir has a new candidate
That search could end quickly, as Ferran Torres has earned his stripes throughout the season with 19 goals to become Barça’s future number 9. This is something that the club has not ruled out, but other options are still being considered, especially in the long term. In this regard, a name has emerged in recent hours that would fit the profile of a young striker with great potential.
According to reports from Colombia, the Catalan club has set its sights on Neyser Villarreal, who is only 20 years old. The Millonarios FC striker is a Colombian football gem who Barça has been following since the South American Under-20 Championship.
In recent months, there has been speculation that the player is close to signing for Atlético Madrid, who have reportedly reached an agreement with Millonarios for his transfer, set at $4 million plus variables, according to Marca, but for now, the player and his agents have refused to accept the offer, which is where FC Barcelona would come in.