5 reasons to help Barca revive

After only 6 weeks, Barca climbed from 4th to 2nd place in La Liga, and also reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League. But what are the reasons leading to the spectacular revival of the Catalan team?

Lewandowski: "The older the ginger, the spicier it gets"

1. The "liberation" effect from Xavi

Barca played sublimely after Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season

The turning point for Barca's revival started with... Xavi's departure announcement. After the 44-year-old strategist announced that he would leave at the end of the season after losing to Villarreal (January 27), the Catalan team was unbeaten in the last 10 matches (won 7, drew 3). That liberating statement seemed to help Barca explode, climbing to 2nd on the La Liga rankings and surpassing Napoli in the 1/8 round of the Champions League.

2. Revolution with kids

Barca's young players are playing better and better

The injury storm has forced Barca to take advantage of resources from the young team. And luckily for the Catalans, their kids played extremely well. While Lamine Yamal (16 years old) was the inspiration on the right wing, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi suddenly became the leader of the defense. Another 17-year-old guy, Hector Fort, shines at the right-back position. And Fermin Lopez (20 years old) also made his mark, in the absence of Gavi and Pedri.

3. Solidity in defense

The return of goalkeeper Ter Stegen strengthens Barca's defense

Marc-Andre ter Stegen's absence coincided with Barca's decline, making them vulnerable. But the reappearance of this number one goalkeeper, and coach Xavi's discovery of the Araujo - Cubarsi combination in the center of defense, helped the Camp Nou home team regain certainty. In the last 8 matches, Barca only conceded 6 goals and Ter Stegen has kept clean sheets in the last 4 matches in La Liga.

4. Lewandowski's brilliant form

Lewandowski is in very high form at the end of the season

After coach Xavi announced that he would leave Barca at the end of the season, Robert Lewandowski invited the whole team to his house for lunch. It's unclear what the Polish striker said to his teammates that day, but afterward people saw a completely different Lewy. He has scored 11 goals in 2024, and with 13 goals and 7 assists, is contributing to more goals in La Liga than Jude Bellingham (16 goals, 3 assists).

5. Return of the veterans

Gundogan is also having a sublime performance

Not only Ter Stegen and Lewandowski, another veteran, Ilkay Gundogan, also made a strong mark in Barca's revival. With 5 goals and 10 assists, the German international is becoming the new leader in the midfield, in the absence of Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo also regained their peak form, alongside an excellent Andreas Christensen in the pivot position, which is not his forte.