Hansi Flick replaced club legend Xavi Hernandez as manager in the summer and enjoyed a brilliant start to life in Catalunya.
Barca built a six-point lead at the top of the table and enjoying brilliant wins over Real Madrid in La Liga and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Flick’s high defensive line worked well, while Lamine Yamal starred and Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski seemingly couldn’t stop scoring.
However, Barca have gone on to hit a sticky patch. They’ve suffered defeats to Las Palmas, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Leganes as well as finishing the year with a loss to Atletico.
And Flick has been in the headlines too. He’s had to serve a two-match suspension after managing to upset the match officials in a draw against Betis.
La Liga has now paused for a winter break with Barcelona down in third place in the table behind both Diego Simeone’s side and Real Madrid over the Christmas break.
There’s still a long way to go this season but the excitement generated after beating Madrid and Bayern has faded, particularly after the tough defeat to Atletico.
Meanwhile, doubts have crept in about Flick’s high line, while the team look a little over-reliant on 17-year-old Yamal and have struggled when he’s not been available.
