Under Louis van Gaal, Barcelona finished 4th in La Liga, a disappointing season after his successful debut. The squad included stars like Rivaldo, Patrick Kluivert, Luis Figo, and Pep Guardiola, blending attacking talent with tactical discipline. Van Gaal’s rigid positional system delivered mixed results; the team struggled with consistency and defensive organization, costing them in crucial matches. In domestic cup competitions, Barcelona were eliminated early, and in the Champions League, they failed to progress past the second group stage. The season was transitional, highlighting the challenges of maintaining success while integrating tactical innovations and managing squad depth.
