Inside Barcelona: La Liga title has to wait, but Hansi Flick's extension is ready to go

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyInside Barcelona: La Liga title has to wait, but Hansi Flick’s extension is ready to goFlick stated his intention to renew at Barcelona in a press conference last month (Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Share articleWelcome to the latest edition of Inside Barcelona, our weekly series to follow throughout La Liga’s 2025-26 season. We will bring you key information and analysis on the biggest talking points in and around the Camp Nou, cutting through the noisy world of all things Barca with reporting you can trust. The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at the Spanish champions, all of whom wanted to speak anonymously to protect relationships. The chance many Barca fans were waiting for has now presented itself: Hansi Flick’s side can complete their La Liga title defence against their biggest rivals in El Clasico next Sunday. Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Espanyol, after Barca beat Osasuna 2-1, means the Catalans will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat in the showpiece fixture at the Camp Nou. It is a very special opportunity. It has never happened before, and would turn a good Barca season into a unique one. Flick has insisted many times over the past month that he was not looking forward to El Clasico being a title-decider. “I want to win it as soon as possible,” the German manager repeated in a press conference last week. But inside the first-team dressing room, without stating it publicly, most of the Barca players are very excited about the prospect of lifting the trophy against Madrid. Madrid’s win on Sunday night also took a growing debate off the table: would Alvaro Arbeloa’s side give Barca a guard of honour before the game if they had already been declared La Liga winners? We’ll never know now, but their upcoming visit still provides a big chance for a party. They did. And, in fact, a big group of Barca players gathered to watch it together. The dressing room believed there was a big chance of a Madrid slip-up, and celebration plans were in place. Discussions with local authorities had already been held over holding a victory parade through Barcelona on Tuesday. Flick, however, insisted he would not be watching Madrid. In his post-match press conference on Saturday, the German manager said he and his wife had tickets to watch El Mago Pop, a famous magician, at a theatre in Barcelona on Sunday night. He probably did not know at that point that technical difficulties at the theatre meant the performance could not be held. Instead, ticket-holders such as Mr and Mrs Flick will have a chance to see the show in October. It should not be too much of a problem for the German, given his contract extension, expected to be until 2028, is already in place. It is set to be announced soon after Barca are confirmed as La Liga champions. Flick’s existing deal is set to expire in the summer of 2027 and he said in March that the Barcelona role will be his final job in management. That Barca could get the job done without their best player of the season, Lamine Yamal, at one of La Liga’s toughest away grounds. It was not the prettiest display, and heavy rain throughout the day in Pamplona did not help, but two late goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres got them over the line. However, there is still a question mark next to both strikers. The 37-year-old Lewandowski is nearing the end of his contract with no news of a new deal. Torres, meanwhile, has failed to establish himself as a starter, despite the number of chances Flick has given him this term. They will surely try to keep vindicating themselves in the four games remaining. Let’s give a shout to Gavi, too. He has now started Barca’s past four La Liga games, as well as the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Playing as a holding midfielder, or even as a false left-winger, Flick is making clear with his selections that he sees him as a fundamental part of his plans — and the 21-year-old’s chances of making Spain’s World Cup squad are increasing every week. Raphinha’s return to action. The Brazil forward has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered on international duty and was back in the matchday squad on Saturday, but Flick decided not to involve him. El Clasico was already set in Raphinha’s mind as a target for his comeback. He won’t be at his peak, but he is expected to take part in the game as he has been training at a normal pace since last week. He will use the final matches of the La Liga season to build up form before the World Cup. Yamal and Andreas Christensen, both injured, are the only Barca players who will miss El Clasico as things stand. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms