Barcelona Football Club is currently embroiled in both struggle and triumph during the 2024-25 season. On one hand, the club has faced significant setbacks, with Spain's football authorities rejecting their attempt to register summer signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the season, thwarting their efforts to bolster the squad. On the other hand, they have enjoyed recent success on the field, having decisively beaten Barbastro to progress to the knockout stages of the Copa del Rey.
Initially, both Olmo and Victor were registered only until December, due to the competition's wage-cap restrictions. Following the recent ruling from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga, the players now face the prospect of sitting out until the summer, placing their careers at the club on hold. Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig last summer for around £51 million, has established himself as regular for the national team following his contributions to Spain's European Championship victory. Meanwhile, Pau Victor, another promising talent at just 23, has largely been utilized as a substitute this season, struggling to break through.
According to the joint statement from RFEF and La Liga, they officially denied Barcelona's request to register the players, indicating, "The monitoring committee agrees not to grant the prior approval or the definitive licence requested by FC Barcelona for the players Daniel Olmo Carvajal and Pau Victor Delgado." This ruling has been compounded by Barcelona's previous unsuccessful appeals to two courts, with reports indicating plans to challenge the decision with the Spanish government. The club has not publicly commented on the outcome yet, hinting at possible future legal maneuvers.
Despite these challenges, Barcelona finds itself currently sitting third in La Liga, trailing five points behind league leaders Real Madrid. The pressure is on the club to maintain and improve its standing as they face obstacles both on and off the field.
On the brighter side, Barcelona made headlines recently with their strong performance against the fourth-tier side Barbastro, retaining their status as record 31-time winners of the Copa del Rey. The team aimed to bounce back from successive La Liga defeats before heading off for the winter break.
The match saw manager Hansi Flick fielding a strong side, which displayed the club's determination to regain momentum. Former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia opened the scoring, positioning the team favorably right from the start. Star striker Robert Lewandowski took center stage, scoring both goals, showcasing his prowess and bringing his tally to 25 goals across all competitions for the season.
Lewandowski's first goal came via his header from Pablo Torre's precisely taken free-kick, followed closely by another goal after the break where he deftly converted from Torre's pass, rolling it smoothly past the Barbastro goalkeeper. Torre himself made headlines not only for his assists but eventually for getting his name on the score sheet as well, taking advantage of the opposition's errors.
With the victory sealing their progression to the next round, the match also allowed for the inclusion of 16-year-old Toni Fernandez, who made his senior debut with Barcelona late in the game. This moment not only highlighted the youth development aspect within the club but also their strategic focus on integrating young talents moving forward.
Barcelona's Copa del Rey success signifies their determination to reclaim silverware, especially since they last lifted the trophy during the 2020-21 season. Fans certainly hope this resurgence can transcend to their league performances, as they eye the top positions again.
While Barcelona's season has been marked by such contrasting events—rejection from football authorities hindering the registration of some players, alongside expressive performances on the pitch—both aspects encapsulate the unpredictability and excitement of football. The club now faces pressing decisions as the season progresses, aiming to find equilibrium between compliance with league regulations and maintaining competitive strength on the field.