Barcelona's aims, ambitions and fixtures for final two months of 2024/25 season | OneFootball

There's always an expectation to win at Barcelona, but the majority were willing to offer Hansi Flick a year of respite following the tumult of 2023/24.

The Catalan giants concluded last season without silverware and in need of a lie down. The campaign was hugely draining amid constant noise surrounding Xavi Hernandez's future. Barca's La Liga-winning manager succumbed to the club's infamous 'entorno', opting to step down less than a year on from their title triumph.

A reset was necessary with a shift in approach required. Flick's reputation wasn't exactly sky-high when he took the job on having become the first manager in the history of the Germany men's national team to get sacked, but his coaching abilities have been laid bare this term.

While Barca's season was all but over by mid-April last time out, Flick's side have got the chance to take 2024/25 all the way. A special campaign may well be in the works after the Supercopa was secured at the start of the year. Here are the club's key objectives for the remainder of the season, as well as their fixture list.

Take the season deep

Barcelona are competing on multiple fronts / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Barcelona looked on course to cut Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga to five points when they took a 2-1 lead in last April's Clasico at the Bernabeu, but a Lucas Vazquez equaliser and more late Jude Bellingham heroics opened up an 11-point gap at the summit.

The defeat arrived just days after a 4-1 PSG win in Catalonia knocked Xavi's side out of the Champions League. Barca's season was over.

With the champions seemingly only getting stronger as Kylian Mbappe finally completed a move to the Spanish capital, Madrid looked poised to dominate in 2024/25. While Mbappe has shone in year one, Los Blancos have not proven to be an imperious force. While capable of scintillating sequences of attacking majesty, they haven't manifested the collective brilliance frequently displayed by Flick's Barca.

La Blaugrana overcame a rocky end to 2024 and currently sit atop the La Liga table having played a game less than Madrid. The margins are tight, but Barca are unbeaten in 2025 and have exuded the air of champions in recent outings. Their come-from-behind 4-2 win at Atleti before the break felt hugely significant.

However, Barca aren't merely going for the league title. After collecting the Supercopa in January, Flick's side are still competing on multiple fronts. They're the favourites for their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund and require another result at the Metropolitano in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

A quadruple cannot be expected, but Barcelona have put themselves in a position to dream. There's every chance their 2024/25 season concludes on 31 May in Munich.

Bring the Ballon d'Or back to Catalonia

Raphinha is enjoying a remarkable season / David Ramos/GettyImages

Raphinha is a superstar who wears his heart on his sleeve, and after two fairly mundane seasons at Barcelona, the former Leeds winger is playing out his lifelong dream and has the chance to follow in his hero's footsteps.

The club's financial woes thrust Raphinha's future into doubt last summer with Nico Williams touted as a potential usurper, but the Brazilian stayed put. His role under Flick has seen him evolve from a disposable asset into a potential Ballon d'Or winner.

It was Ronaldinho's dazzling footwork while donning Blaugrana colours which suckered a young Raphinha into the Barca allure, and he remains the club's most recent Ballon d'Or winner not called Lionel Messi. Nobody foreshadowed Raphinha's astounding season which has thrust him into a realm perhaps not even the man himself thought he could enter.

47 goal involvements in all competitions by the March international break is a staggering return. Raphinha has blossomed into an inevitable force under Flick with admirable leadership qualities. If Barca enjoy a trophy-laden season and Raphinha's form refuses to cease down the stretch, he has to be considered for the sport's most prestigious individual prize.

Just imagine the look on Florentino Perez's face.

Sort out Lamine Yamal's contract

Yamal doesn't imagine himself anywhere else / David Ramos/GettyImages

It hasn't been all Raphinha for Barcelona this season. Far from it. They've sparkled from back to front. Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi have developed a stout centre-back partnership, the full-backs have been remarkably consistent, Pedri has avoided injury and returned to his very best self, while Robert Lewandowski currently leads Mbappe in the race for the Pichichi.

Flick's system has doubtlessly facilitated Raphinha's output spike, but the Brazilian has also benefitted from functioning in tandem with the club's teenage star on the opposite flank.

Lamine Yamal's numbers pale in comparison to the Brazilian's, but the Euro 2024 winner has been just as impressive. He's nothing short of generational, and Barca typically ensure such talents stick around for the long haul.

The teenager has no intentions of leaving Catalonia, but his contract expires in 2026 and the club are having a few difficulties in negotiations. Barcelona are willing to offer Yamal the keys to the city, but angst will pervade in the region until their burgeoning superstar is tied down for the long haul with a £5bn release clause.

Barcelona's remaining 2024/25 fixtures

Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final after the international break / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Barcelona remain in three competitions, so Flick's squad management will be key down the stretch.

11 games separate the club from La Liga glory, and they'll benefit from seven of these fixtures arriving at home. Three of their four away games, meanwhile, are against sides currently sitting 15th or below in the table. They may well have the title wrapped up by the time they visit San Mames on the final day of the season.

The Clasico on 11 May could prove pivotal.

A hectic April begins with the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atleti, with a thrilling first leg ending 4-4. The victors will face either Madrid or Real Sociedad on the 26th.

Before that potential final, Barca face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarters. They've been excellent in Europe this season, and expectations are high regarding a potential return to the competition's showpiece event at the end of May.