According to reports, Barcelona needs four more victories (against Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal, Real Madrid, and one of the three La Liga matches) to secure a historic treble. Fatigue and injuries have impacted the squad.

Less than a year ago, Joan Laporta made a bold move by appointing Hans-Dieter Flick as Barcelona’s new coach. The German manager avoided setting unrealistic expectations but knew success at this club is measured in trophies: “To win titles, you have to play the games and take it step by step.”

Ten months later, Flick can see the shore—the treble awaits, but the waters are rising for Blaugrana. There are concerning factors at the Catalan club, even though the team has had an exceptional season so far.

The modern football calendar is largely to blame, but it’s a problem many face. Flick’s team has struggled defensively all season, though their attacking brilliance has often masked these issues. The inability to keep clean sheets in recent matches has become a serious threat.

Goalkeeping Chaos
In their last six matches, Barcelona has conceded 12 goals while scoring 14. They only kept a clean sheet against Mallorca. Wojciech Szczęsny has been brilliant this season, but Marc-André ter Stegen has returned from injury. The German goalkeeper has publicly stated his intention to reclaim his spot. Coincidentally or not, Szczęsny’s form has dipped since then.
Despite Szczęsny playing against Valladolid, Flick confirmed the Polish goalkeeper will start in the Champions League return leg against Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza. Ter Stegen, who has also faced rumors of tension with Lionel Messi, must wait for his chance.

Absence of Koundé and Lewandowski’s Uncertainty
The bad news isn’t limited to the goalkeeping situation. Flick is concerned about injuries, and rightly so. Alejandro Balde is still recovering, unlike Robert Lewandowski, who has been included in the squad. With Jules Koundé sidelined due to a thigh injury, Barcelona will field Gerard Martín on the left and Eric García on the right. Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez will anchor the central defense.

In attack, despite Lewandowski’s return, Ferran Torres is expected to start as the No. 9 against Inter. The 3-3 draw at Montjuïc leaves everything open for the second leg, and Lewandowski could feature in the closing stages.

Flick said in the pre-match press conference: “Maybe he can start in El Clásico.” In the attacking midfield role, Dani Olmo’s authority has made him a likely starter, though Fermín López has also impressed. The attacking midfielder has taken a leadership role with the media, assuring the team is in great shape heading into the season’s final stages. This is his first year at Barcelona, and he dreams of making history.

Three Shining Stars
Aside from injuries, Barcelona’s near future lies in the hands of three standout players this season: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri. Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi praised Yamal’s brilliance and confirmed they will use a double-marking strategy to contain him: “We must try to prevent him from getting the ball, but that’s impossible.”

Raphinha, on the other hand, travels to Italy, a country he holds a passport from due to his father’s roots. The Brazilian is having the best season of his career, stepping up as a leader in crucial moments. But Barcelona’s engine isn’t in attack—it’s in midfield.

Pedri is the one keeping everything together, but the midfielder is struggling with fatigue. If the best midfielder in the world (according to Toni Kroos) has a good day, life could be fantastic for Flick. The German coach can now almost touch the shore of success.