Hansi Flick doesn't do "barely winning." Honestly, if you haven't been watching the Blaugrana lately, you’re missing the most clinical version of this team we've seen since the MSN days. People keep waiting for the wheels to fall off, but the momentum is just kind of terrifying at this point.
Barcelona has hit a stride that feels less like a hot streak and more like a systemic shift. Looking at FC Barcelona last 5 matches, they haven't just been winning; they’ve been systematically dismantling opponents across three different competitions. We’re talking about an 11-game winning streak that just equaled the club's second-best run in history. It’s wild.
The Dominance in Numbers: Breaking Down the Recent Run
If you look at the raw data from the first half of January 2026, the story is pretty clear. Efficiency is the name of the game.
January 15: Racing Santander 0-2 FC Barcelona (Copa del Rey)
This was a classic "trap" game. A rainy night at El Sardinero against a lower-league side that wanted to play hero. Flick rotated the squad, but the result felt inevitable. Ferran Torres finally found the net in the 66th minute, and Lamine Yamal—who is basically a cheat code at this point—put it to bed in the 90th.
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January 11: FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (Supercopa Final)
The big one. Jeddah was buzzing for this El Clasico. Raphinha is playing like a man possessed, bagging a brace that secured the first trophy of the season. Even with Vinícius Júnior scoring an absolute screamer for Madrid, Barça’s midfield control was just too much. Pedri’s assist for Lewandowski was the kind of thing you’d see in a training montage. Pure class.
January 7: FC Barcelona 5-0 Athletic Club (Supercopa Semi-final)
Total demolition. Athletic usually gives Barça a physical headache, but they couldn't even get close to the ball. Raphinha scored twice here too. It was 5-0 before Marcus Rashford even got off the bench for his 25-minute cameo.
January 3: Espanyol 0-2 FC Barcelona (La Liga)
Derbies are always messy. This one was tight until the very end. Joan García was making save after save for Espanyol, but the pressure finally cracked them. Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski scored late to keep the gap at the top of the table.
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December 21: Villarreal 0-2 FC Barcelona (La Liga)
The Estadio de la Cerámica is a nightmare to visit, but Barça made it look like a stroll. Another clean sheet. Another 2-0 win.
Why the High Line is Actually Working
Most critics thought Flick’s high defensive line would be suicide in Spain. It's risky. One long ball and you're cooked. But the offside trap has become a weapon. In the FC Barcelona last 5 matches, they’ve caught opponents offside an average of 6.5 times per game. It’s frustrating for strikers and brilliant for a team that wants to stay in the opponent's half.
The Raphinha Reinvention
We have to talk about Raphinha. A year ago, people were questioning his price tag. Now? He’s the MVP of the Supercopa. With 4 goals in his last 3 games, he’s basically kept Marcus Rashford on the bench. It's a tough reality for Rashford, who moved on loan from Manchester United to find minutes, only to find himself behind the best winger in Europe right now.
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The Midfield Engine
Casadó and Pedri are doing the "dirty" work that allows the front four to fly. It’s not just about flashy passes; it’s about ball recovery. Barça averaged over 30 ball recoveries per match in this latest stretch. If you can't keep the ball for more than ten seconds, you can't beat them. It’s that simple.
What's Next? Navaging the Injury Bug
It’s not all sunshine and trophies, though. Just hours ago, news broke that Raphinha is ruled out for the upcoming clash against Real Sociedad. This is a massive blow. When a player is in the form of his life, an injury can derail the whole rhythm of the front line. Flick is going to have to decide if he trusts Rashford to step into that high-intensity role or if he shifts Lamine Yamal’s responsibilities.
The schedule isn't getting any easier either. With Champions League nights against Slavia Praha and Copenhagen coming up at the end of the month, the squad depth is going to be tested to the limit.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Offside Trap: If you're betting on or analyzing their next game, look at the opponent's speed. Teams with slow wingers will get eaten alive by Flick’s high line.
- Monitor the Raphinha Injury: Check the lineup for the Real Sociedad game. If Rashford starts, watch his defensive work rate. That's the key to staying in Flick's good graces.
- Focus on the 60-70 Minute Mark: Barça has scored a significant portion of their goals in the final 25 minutes of their last five matches. They wear teams out until the gaps appear.
Barcelona is currently sitting four points clear at the top of La Liga with 49 points from 19 games. They’ve scored 53 goals and conceded only 20. The numbers don't lie. They are the team to beat in 2026.