FC Barcelona started the season with significant adjustments to its scheme and starting lineup. The arrival of Hansi Flick meant leaving behind the classic 4-3-3 or the 4-1-4-1 implemented by Xavi Hernández during his cycle, to switch to a 4-2-3-1 as the basis of a completely offensive approach. With this, the azulgrana midfield took on a much more prominent role, with players constantly pressing in the opponent's half to quickly recover the ball and break lines with filtered passes to the forwards.
After two and a half brilliant months, the team lowered its performance between November and December, but overall the azulgrana midfield fulfilled its duties of marking and generating football. At least regarding the starters. Thus, we saw FC Barcelona's midfielders in the first half of the 2024/25 season.
Marc Casadó - Revelation
The player from Sant Pere de Vilamajor responded to Flick's trust after Marc Bernal's injury, establishing himself as the team's starting pivot. The club's financial problems prevented the arrival of a '5', but Casadó passed the first half of the season with very good performances in both La Liga and Champions. So far, he has 5 assists in 22 matches (1,727 minutes), with only two appearances as a substitute.
Pedri González - Brain
Pedri has taken charge of creating all the football for Barça, without neglecting the back of a Casadó who, while fulfilling his role as a pivot, often needs a hand to cover ground when opponents attack. The Tenerife native has put behind him the physical problems that plagued him in the last two years, allowing him to play all 25 matches of the season (1,902 minutes). 4 goals and 3 assists are his offensive contributions so far, but in completed passes and recovered balls, no one has done a better job than the '8'.
Dani Olmo - Irregular
The only summer reinforcement, along with Pau Víctor, had a dream start to the season in La Liga, scoring in his first three matches. Beyond the hassle with his registration, the player from Terrassa has shown enormous commitment to the club, although his performance has had significant ups and downs following a muscle injury that kept him out for a month.
Fermín López - Impact Sub
Fermín also started the season 'flying' after a spectacular summer with Spain at the Olympic Games, but physical problems sent him to the infirmary at his best moment. For now, he is Flick's main impact substitute in midfield, alternating between the interior position and that of a playmaker and winger. The player from El Campillo has 1 goal and 2 assists in 16 matches (582 minutes), with 7 starts between La Liga and Champions.
Gavi - Impetuous
The Andalusian returned after almost a year out and, little by little, has been regaining the physical strength that usually accompanies his typical character on the field. Against Atlético, he recorded his first assist of the season in his third match as a starter, reaching 305 minutes of play in 13 appearances. Undoubtedly, the '6' will be a key player in the second half of the season.
Frenkie de Jong - Disappeared
Unlike Gavi, Frenkie de Jong has completely disappeared from Hansi Flick's plans. The Dutchman finally reappeared in mid-October and excited fans with a great second half in the Clásico against Real Madrid. After that, he has left many doubts about his physical condition, with forgettable performances against Red Star and Real Sociedad. In the last two matches of La Liga, he did not play against Leganés and Atlético. 362 minutes in 13 matches (2 as a starter), with 1 goal and 1 assist against Mallorca, summarize his season so far.
Pablo Torre - Sacrificed
Pablo Torre has been the main casualty in Barça's midfield following the returns of Gavi and Frenkie. The Cantabrian is a player highly valued by Flick, but he is the last option in the German's rotation plan due to a matter of hierarchy. The '14' has played only 267 minutes in 9 matches and, even so, has 3 goals and 1 assist. It is most likely that he will end up going out on loan again in January.
Marc Bernal - Injured
The youth player was shaping up to be the great revelation of the season after a fantastic preseason, but a torn ACL against Rayo, in the third match of La Liga, left him out for the rest of the 2024/25 season. Looking ahead to next summer, Bernal hopes to return much stronger to support Casadó in midfield.