Are Barcelona better than last season? Interesting stats emerge after Osasuna win

Barcelona are currently leading La Liga by four points over Real Madrid as the 2025-26 season approaches its winter break, positioning themselves better than at the same stage last season.

Despite a perception that the team under coach Hansi Flick has been less impressive, statistical analysis shows improvement. After 17 matches, Barcelona have accumulated 43 points with a +29 goal difference, compared to 38 points and a +31 goal difference at the same point in the previous campaign.

This achievement is notable given a significant injury crisis that has sidelined key players including Joan Garcia, Raphinha, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski for various periods.

The team's form has notably improved following a defeat in El Clásico in October, with Barcelona winning all seven subsequent matches to reclaim the top spot. The return from injury of pivotal players Pedri and Raphinha has been crucial to this turnaround, strengthening their title defense prospects.