Under Louis van Gaal, Barcelona competed in his first full season in charge, finishing 2nd in La Liga, behind Deportivo La Coruña. The squad featured stars like Patrick Kluivert, Luis Figo, Rivaldo, and Pep Guardiola, blending attacking talent with tactical discipline. Van Gaal implemented his structured, possession-oriented system, emphasizing positional play and pressing. In domestic cup competitions, Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey final, but lost narrowly. In the Champions League, Barça were eliminated in the second group stage. The season was a period of adjustment under Van Gaal, setting the stage for future domestic and European success.
