Flick's Barcelona scores more goals, but earns fewer points in LaLiga 25/26

FC Barcelona's draw against Rayo (1-1) was Hansi Flick's team's first setback of 2025/26. Although the team maintains an identical style of play to the previous year, with a much more oiled idea and greater depth on the bench thanks to the signings of Joan García and Marcus Rashford, the 'culés' already have two points less than in the league start of 2024.

Barça won all of their first seven matches, starting with narrow victories against Valencia, Athletic and Rayo (all by a score of 2-1). This year, although the 'azulgrana' team scores more goals and shoots more on goal, it is less effective when it comes to scoring points.

Flick's Barça scores more goals in La Liga, but scores fewer goals: Why?

Flick's team debuted by thrashing Mallorca this summer (0-3) and then came back against Levante in Valencia (2-3). With this, in just two matches, they had already equaled their goalscoring record in the first three matches of the previous championship (6).

Barça repeated the 2-1 scoreline at Mestalla and Vallecas, as well as at Montjuïc against Athletic to add 9 out of 9. In defense, the average last summer was identical, with 3 goals conceded. Joan García debuted with a clean sheet against Mallorca, but then conceded a pair of goals against Levante and another against Rayo.

Fermín López chats with Rayo players after the draw in Vallecas (1-1) on matchday 3 of LaLiga 25/26

In that sense, the offensive and defensive production is identical, but the team has 2 points less. The main reason has to do with the effectiveness in front of goal. Although the goalscoring average this year is higher (2.33 per game), the 'azulgrana' team is reaching the rival area more, but this does not translate into a very high effectiveness.

In their first three matches of LaLiga 25/26, the 'azulgrana' team has a total of 62 shots, 21 of them on goal and 3 against the post. Only 11.29% of the shots (7) ended in a goal. In 2024, the Catalans made 53 shots, 16 of them on goal (there were also 3 attempts against the post). Then, 11.32% of the shots (6) were successful.

The difference is minimal, but clearly Flick's team must refine their aim to solve matches against rivals that can complicate things a lot on the counterattack or, as in the case of Rayo, through pressure and physical play.

• Do you want to know when Barça plays its next match? Check the official FC Barcelona calendar in LaLiga 2025/26.

The defense continues to be a weak point for Hansi Flick's Barcelona

Similarly, Hansi Flick's Barcelona continues to concede too many chances at the back. Against Rayo, Joan García shone with 5 saves, but even so he could not avoid the 'azulgrana' setback. Levante, although they only had 18% possession, had 8 shots (5 on goal) and 2 goals, too many for a team totally dominated from start to finish.

In the disciplinary aspect, Barça's defense has improved. At this point in the previous year, the team already had 8 players booked. This year, only Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde have been cautioned. The number of fouls committed and received is very similar, but Flick's team has perfected the way to hit.

Against Valencia, on September 15, the 'culés' will have a great opportunity to correct mistakes and take a step forward in the first match of the season at home. Will Flick's team be able to improve their goalscoring efficiency?

• Review all the FC Barcelona statistics in LaLiga 2025/26 in FCBN. Don't miss anything!