{"id":11022,"date":"2025-08-09T13:33:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T13:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=11022"},"modified":"2025-08-09T13:33:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T13:33:03","slug":"barcelona-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/barcelona-season-preview","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona Season Preview &#8211; Yamal and Rashford are going to tear La Liga up!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><p>As the 2025\/26 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/laliga-11\">La Liga<\/a> season revs up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/fc-barcelona-132\">Barcelona<\/a> is ready to roll with a squad that\u2019s got fans buzzing like a beehive. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/lamine-yamal-131182\">Lamine Yamal<\/a>, the teenage sensation who\u2019s already rewriting record books, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/marcus-rashford-39803\">Marcus Rashford<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/manchester-united-105\">Manchester United<\/a> loanee looking to rediscover his spark, are poised to form a dynamic duo that could set the league ablaze.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><p>Fresh off their 2024\/25 title win, the Blaugrana are blending youthful swagger with veteran grit under Hansi Flick\u2019s watchful eye. From pre-season promise to title ambitions, here\u2019s why Barcelona\u2019s campaign is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with Yamal and Rashford leading the charge.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Barcelona are chasing greatness<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#pre-season-barcelonas-asian-adventure\">Pre-Season: Barcelona\u2019s Asian Adventure<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#lamine-yamal\">Lamine Yamal<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#marcus-rashford-at-barcelona\">Marcus Rashford at Barcelona<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-yamal-rashford-connection\">The Yamal-Rashford Connection<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#barcelonas-ridiculous-squad-depth\">Barcelona\u2019s Ridiculous Squad Depth<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#flicks-master-plan-tactics-and-ambition\">Flick\u2019s Master Plan: Tactics and Ambition<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#challenges-ahead-depth-finances-and-rivals\">Challenges Ahead: Depth, Finances, and Rivals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#m\">MATS: End of an era<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-road-to-silverware-la-liga-and-beyond\">The Road to Silverware: La Liga and Beyond<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#a-season-to-savor\">A Season to Savor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pre-season-barcelonas-asian-adventure\">Pre-Season: Barcelona\u2019s Asian Adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><p>Barcelona kicked off their 2025\/26 preparations with a pre-season tour in Asia, and let\u2019s just say they didn\u2019t hold back. First up, a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe. Then came a 7-3 demolition of FC Seoul, with Rashford setting up Ferran Torres for a tidy finish. The tour wrapped with a 5-0 rout of Daegu, where Rashford bagged his first goal in Blaugrana colors. Tidy stuff.These games weren\u2019t about results; they were a chance for Flick to tinker with his tactics, test new faces, and get the squad humming. With the La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao next week looming, Barcelona\u2019s looking sharp and ready to roll.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lamine-yamal\">Lamine Yamal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about Lamine Yamal, because this 18-year-old is no ordinary talent. Born just down the road from Camp Nou, this La Masia gem has been breaking records faster than you can say \u201cMessi who?\u201d Last season, he racked up 18 goals and 21 assists, helping Barcelona clinch the La Liga title. He became the youngest player to score in a Cl\u00e1sico and hit 50 appearances for the club, all while snagging the Kopa Trophy at the 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or gala. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His dribbling is smoother than a summer breeze, and his vision could thread a pass through a keyhole. For 2025\/26, Yamal\u2019s the heartbeat of Barcelona\u2019s attack. Could he push for a top-three Ballon d\u2019Or finish this year? Don\u2019t bet against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2212338922-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"2025\/26 YAMAL - ESTADI OLIMPIC LLUIS COMPANYS, BARCELONA, SPAIN - 2025\/04\/30: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024\/25 semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale. The match ended 3-3 tie.\" class=\"wp-image-10554\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Nicol\u00f2 Campo\/LightRocket via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"marcus-rashford-at-barcelona\">Marcus Rashford at Barcelona<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marcus Rashford\u2019s arrival at Barcelona is the kind of plot twist that gets fans talking. After a tough spell at Manchester United and a loan stint at Aston Villa, where he scored six goals in 17 games, the 27-year-old Englishman landed in Catalonia on a season-long loan with a \u00a330.3m option to buy. His pre-season has been a tease of what\u2019s to come: a slick assist against FC Seoul, a goal against Daegu, and a hunger to prove himself. Rashford\u2019s pace is electric, his finishing can be lethal, and playing in Flick\u2019s system, where wingers get to cut loose, could be just what he needs to hit reset. If he clicks with Yamal, defenders are in for a long season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pogba reacts to Rashford joining Barcelona \ud83e\udd2f<br><br>What do you think of this deal? \ud83d\udc47 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DYQ9b0kwxS\">pic.twitter.com\/DYQ9b0kwxS<\/a><\/p>&mdash; 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1947219943302320358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">July 21, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-yamal-rashford-connection\">The Yamal-Rashford Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a sight to savor &#8211; Yamal darting down the right, jinking past defenders like they\u2019re standing still, while Rashford burns down the left, leaving fullbacks in his dust. It\u2019s the kind of one-two punch that could make La Liga defenses dizzy. Yamal\u2019s knack for picking out passes pairs perfectly with Rashford\u2019s runs behind the line, and both love a long-range banger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throw in Robert Lewandowski as the central striker, and you\u2019ve got a front three that\u2019s pure box office. Their pre-season chemistry, Rashford\u2019s assist for Torres came from a move Yamal could\u2019ve easily finished, hints at a partnership that could dominate. Will they gel right away? Early signs say yes, and that\u2019s bad news for everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"barcelonas-ridiculous-squad-depth\">Barcelona\u2019s Ridiculous Squad Depth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Barcelona\u2019s not just banking on Yamal and Rashford to carry the load. The squad is stacked with talent that makes them favorites to defend their La Liga crown. In midfield, Pedri\u2019s creativity, Frenkie de Jong\u2019s composure, and Gavi\u2019s relentless energy form a trio that can boss any game. The defense, led by Ronald Ara\u00fajo and Jules Kound\u00e9, is rock-solid, with young Pau Cubars\u00ed stepping up as a future star. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Up top, Lewandowski\u2019s still banging in goals at 37, while Raphinha and Ferran Torres add versatility. Ansu Fati, back from his loan at Brighton, is another wildcard looking to make an impact. Depth like this means Flick can rotate without missing a beat, which is crucial with a grueling schedule across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"flicks-master-plan-tactics-and-ambition\">Flick\u2019s Master Plan: Tactics and Ambition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hansi Flick has brought a new edge to Barcelona since taking over. His high-pressing, possession-based style suits this squad like a tailored suit. In pre-season, he\u2019s toggled between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1, giving Yamal and Rashford freedom to roam while keeping the midfield tight. Flick\u2019s Bayern Munich days showed he can win big and he\u2019s got Barcelona playing with the same hunger. The key will be balancing attacking flair with defensive solidity, especially against counter-attacking sides like Real Madrid. If Flick can keep everyone fit and firing, this team could be unstoppable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2169613515-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 31: Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid at Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic on August 31, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. \" class=\"wp-image-10999\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo By Javier Borrego\/Europa Press via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"challenges-ahead-depth-finances-and-rivals\">Challenges Ahead: Depth, Finances, and Rivals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No season is without its hurdles, and Barcelona\u2019s got a few to clear. Squad depth is solid, but injuries to key players like Pedri or Ara\u00fajo could test their reserves. Financially, the club\u2019s still walking a tightrope &#8211; Rashford\u2019s loan deal helps, but a permanent move would need careful budgeting. Then there\u2019s the competition. Real Madrid, with Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 leading the charge, will be a thorn in their side, especially in El Cl\u00e1sico. Atl\u00e9tico Madrid\u2019s grit under Diego Simeone and dark horses like Girona could also cause headaches. The Champions League adds another layer, with last season\u2019s quarter-final exit to PSG still stinging. Can Barcelona go deeper in Europe? That\u2019s the million-dollar question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"m\">MATS: End of an era<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc-Andr\u00e9 ter Stegen, Barcelona&#8217;s goalkeeper, was temporarily stripped of his captaincy in August 2025 due to a dispute over his medical records following back surgery in July. The club sought to register new signings like Joan Garcia by utilizing 80% of Ter Stegen\u2019s wages, which required a medical report confirming a four-month absence per La Liga rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ter Stegen\u2019s public claim of a three-month recovery and initial refusal to authorize the report led to disciplinary action and tensions with the club, who appointed Ronald Araujo as interim captain. After releasing a statement clarifying his commitment to Barcelona and agreeing to provide the necessary medical authorization, Ter Stegen was reinstated as captain, resolving the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-road-to-silverware-la-liga-and-beyond\">The Road to Silverware: La Liga and Beyond<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><p>Barcelona\u2019s main goal is clear: defend the La Liga title. With Yamal and Rashford leading the attack, they\u2019ve got the firepower to outscore anyone. Their home form at Camp Nou, where they lost just once last season, is a fortress, and their away record is improving under Flick. The Copa del Rey offers a chance for domestic glory, while the Champions League is where they want to make a statement.\u00a0<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2181469930-1-1024x702.jpg\" alt=\"MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.\" class=\"wp-image-8945\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Angel Martinez\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-season-to-savor\"><p>A Season to Savor<\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><p>As Barcelona gears up for their La Liga opener, the buzz around Camp Nou is electric. Lamine Yamal, already a superstar, and Marcus Rashford, ready to prove his doubters wrong, are set to lead the charge. With a talented squad, a savvy manager in Flick, and a fanbase hungry for more, the 2025\/26 season could be one for the history books. Whether it\u2019s dominating La Liga, making noise in Europe, or just watching Yamal and Rashford run riot, this is a campaign you won\u2019t want to miss. So, grab your scarf, settle in, and let\u2019s see how far this team can go.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Nicky Helfgott \/ @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep up with all the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/laliga-11\/news\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/laliga-11\/news\">La Liga news<\/a> and live scores on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/\">365Scores<\/a> website and app!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"riddle2-wrapper\" data-rid-id=\"f80hV4LU\" data-auto-scroll=\"true\" data-is-fixed-height-enabled=\"false\" data-bg=\"#fff\" data-fg=\"#00205b\" style=\"margin:0 auto; max-width:100%; width:640px;\" ><script src=\"https:\/\/www.riddle.com\/embed\/build-embedjs\/embedV2.js\"><\/script><iframe title=\"Where will Barcelona finish this season?\" src=\"https:\/\/www.riddle.com\/embed\/a\/f80hV4LU?lazyImages=false&#038;staticHeight=false\" allow=\"autoplay\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the 2025\/26 La Liga season revs up, Barcelona is ready to roll with a squad that\u2019s got fans buzzing like a beehive. Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation who\u2019s already rewriting record books, and Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United loanee looking to rediscover his spark, are poised to form a dynamic duo that could set &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":11025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,2340],"tags":[3885,3883,1126,1005,210,3477,317,1352,2747,3467,188,160,1287,589,2251,823,314,59,189,3884],"class_list":["post-11022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","category-la-liga","tag-ansu-fati","tag-barcelona-2025-26","tag-champions-league","tag-club-world-cup","tag-copa-del-rey","tag-ferran-torres","tag-frenkie-de-jong","tag-gavi","tag-hansi-flick","tag-jules-kounde","tag-kylian-mbappe","tag-la-liga","tag-lamine-yamal","tag-marcus-rashford","tag-pau-cubarsi","tag-pedri","tag-raphinha","tag-real-madrid","tag-robert-lewandowski","tag-ronald-araujo","article_type-discover","article_type-news","entity_type-athlete","entity_type-competition","entity_type-competitor","inspiration-365s-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11022","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11022"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11035,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11022\/revisions\/11035"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}