Under Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Barcelona experienced a transitional year following Tito Vilanova’s departure. The squad, featuring Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, and Pedro, maintained possession-based, attacking football, but inconsistency plagued results. Barça finished 2nd in La Liga, behind Atlético Madrid, and were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Atlético, failing to replicate previous European success. They reached the Copa del Rey final, losing to Real Madrid. Despite domestic and continental setbacks, the season highlighted Messi’s brilliance and the integration of Neymar into the squad, setting the foundation for Luis Enrique’s arrival and the historic treble-winning campaigns of 2014/15.
