Renowned King of France, Louis XV, once said a popular quote, “After me, the flood.” If changed a bit and applied to Barcelona, the quote would say, “After Messi and Ronaldinho, no free-kick goals.”Namely, Barca used to be pretty lethal for their rivals any time they got a free kick around 25 meters from goal. Throughout the 21st century, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi took no prisoners from free kicks, as the Brazilian netted 20 and the Argentinian 50 free-kick goals, respectively.Neymar nearly ended up with Pep in BayernHansi Flick’s Barcelona are also very efficient, but lethal for their opponents in some different ways, as the last Catalans’ free kick found the net was Pablo Torre’s effort in October against Sevilla, though it was a cross which was too high for Inigo Martinez and which tricked the rivals’ custodian. And it’s the only Barca’s free-kick goal this season?!For instance, since he arrived at Camp Nou two and a half years ago, Raphinha attempted 42 times from free kicks (18 this season) and scored ZERO goals!Barcelona still lack a free-kick specialist after Messi’s departure. This season, only Pablo Torre has scored from a direct free-kick. @xavierbosch— barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 28, 2025 Truth be told, Barcelona are still dangerous from set pieces, but they find the net in different ways. In 39 games in all competitions this season, the Blaugrana scored 120 goals, while 21 came after set pieces, which is one of the best club records in the past few seasons. Yet, out of those 21 goals, eight were scored from the spot (one was missed), seven after corner kicks, and five after free-kicks, but not directly.They have a big chance to win everything, says Barca legend about Real MadridAccording to Mundo Deportivo, Pedri is quite a skilful free-kick taker in training sessions but doesn’t even try in matches. And any team needs players like the aforementioned Messi and Ronaldinho, or Rivaldo and Ronald Koeman before them, who used to bring the Catalans a lot of joy any time they placed the ball and curled it over the wall straight into the net.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 26Friday 23.00: (3.10) Valladolid (3.30) Las Palmas (2.50)Saturday 16.00: (2.25) Girona (3.40) Celta (3.20)18.15: (2.35) Rayo Vallecano (3.25) Sevilla (3.15)20.30: (4.90) Betis (3.60) Real Madrid (1.75)23.00: (2.10) Atl.Madrid (3.35) Ath.Bilbao (3.60)Sunday 16.00: (3.10) Leganes (2.90) Getafe (2.65)18.15: (1.30) Barcelona (5.50) Sociedad (10.0)20.30: (2.30) Mallorca (3.10) Alaves (3.40)23.00: (2.35) Osasuna (3.15) Valencia (3.25)Monday 23.00: (1.43) Villareal (4.50) Espanyol (7.50)***odds are subject to change***
