Under manager Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona endured a transitional campaign, finishing 2nd in La Liga, behind Valencia. The squad featured emerging stars like Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, and Luis Enrique, alongside veterans Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernández, blending youthful energy with experienced leadership. Barça struggled with inconsistency, alternating brilliant attacking displays with defensive lapses. In the Copa del Rey, they reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated, while in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona exited at the group stage, reflecting their instability on the European stage. The season set the groundwork for Rijkaard’s future success, especially with Ronaldinho’s rise in the following years.
