Barcelona tighten control after clasico weekend
A weekend that shifted the mood
Barcelona returned from Saudi Arabia with more than a trophy. The 3,2 Supercopa de Espana win over Real Madrid altered the emotional temperature around the club and strengthened confidence in Flick’s project.
According to reporting by Pol Ballus in The Athletic, the atmosphere inside the dressing room after Sunday’s final was one of renewed belief, mixed with a sense that external events had also tilted momentum in Barcelona’s favour.
That feeling intensified on Monday when Real Madrid announced the dismissal of head coach Xabi Alonso, news that reached Barcelona players and staff through social media rather than official channels.
Flick’s authority quietly reinforced
The fallout in Madrid was not lost on Barcelona. According to The Athletic, internal conversations at the club framed Alonso’s exit as further evidence of Flick’s growing stability in contrast to their rivals’ volatility.
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Sporting director Deco addressed the decision in an interview with Catalan radio station Rac 1, questioning the timing of the move.
“I am a bit surprised because he had been there for a short time, he had just started,” Deco said. “It is true they lost the Supercopa to us, but there’s still the league to play for and they are doing well in the Champions League.”
Dressing room sources cited by The Athletic noted that Flick has now outlasted two Madrid coaches during his tenure, following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure last summer.
Momentum built over months, not one night
While the Supercopa win was celebrated, the sense inside Barcelona is that the shift began earlier. October’s 2,1 league defeat at the Bernabeu marked a turning point in performances and mentality.
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According to The Athletic, Barcelona have not lost a La Liga match since that night and have opened a four point lead at the top of the table. The Supercopa final was viewed internally as confirmation rather than transformation.
The team has now won three consecutive finals against Real Madrid across competitions, a run that has fed belief they can again compete for multiple domestic trophies.
Raphinha sets the tempo
Raphinha’s influence has been central to that confidence. His two goals in the final highlighted not only his finishing but his broader impact on Flick’s pressing system.
According to The Athletic, the Brazilian’s return from a hamstring injury in November helped restore intensity at the top of the pitch. He has now scored four goals in finals against Madrid, a club record bettered only by Lionel Messi.
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Araujo’s return carried deeper meaning
One of the most emotional moments of the night came late in the match when Ronald Araujo entered the game after an agreed leave of absence earlier in the season.
Although his minutes were brief, the symbolism was significant. Club president Joan Laporta highlighted the moment in comments to Movistar.
“This was the return of Araujo, our captain,” Laporta said. “I’ve seen him very emotional and happy after the game. He helped us when we were down to 10 men. It’s been a perfect script.”
Araujo later reflected publicly on his absence, writing on social media that stepping away had allowed him to return stronger, both mentally and physically.
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Squad planning continues behind the scenes
Attention inside the club has already shifted back to squad management. According to The Athletic, Barcelona expect to confirm Joao Cancelo’s loan return from Al Hilal shortly, though his debut is unlikely this week.
Senior figures have also expressed a desire to keep Marcus Rashford beyond his current loan from Manchester United. Rashford has previously stated he would be open to staying, though the financial structure of any deal remains undecided.
Politics never far away at camp nou
Beyond the pitch, club politics are beginning to resurface. Elections are scheduled for between March and May, and sources cited by The Athletic expect Laporta to announce the timetable in the coming weeks.
Several challengers have already declared their intention to run, ensuring that even as Barcelona push forward on the field, long term governance questions will soon return to the foreground.
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Sources
The Athletic
