The 2021–22 season marked a pivotal and challenging year for Futbol Club Barcelona, their 122nd in existence and 91st in La Liga. It was their first season without Lionel Messi since 2003–04, as the club’s financial difficulties forced his departure to Paris Saint-Germain following the expiration of his contract. Antoine Griezmann also left the team, compounding the squad’s issues as Barcelona struggled to replace key players with comparable quality.
The season began with significant difficulties. Barcelona’s struggles on the pitch mirrored their financial troubles off it, leading to poor results in both domestic and European competitions. In the UEFA Champions League, Barça finished third in their group, failing to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 2003. This saw them drop into the UEFA Europa League, marking their first appearance in the competition since the 2003–04 season. Domestically, their form faltered, and by late October, Barcelona had fallen to ninth place in La Liga. These struggles prompted the sacking of head coach Ronald Koeman. Club legend Xavi Hernández was appointed as his replacement, tasked with stabilizing the team and restoring its competitive edge.
Under Xavi’s leadership, the team’s performances gradually improved. Key winter signings, including Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, helped rejuvenate the squad. The highlight of the season came in March, when Barcelona achieved a stunning 4–0 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, a statement win that showcased their potential under Xavi. This result helped Barcelona climb to second place in La Liga, a position they retained for the rest of the campaign.
Despite the mid-season resurgence, Barcelona’s season ended trophyless. They were eliminated from the Europa League in the quarter-finals by Eintracht Frankfurt and suffered early exits in the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España. Additionally, a series of inconsistent league results in April and May ensured they never caught up with league champions Real Madrid.
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