The woodwork often gets in the way of goalscoring, and so far this season, FC Barcelona have heard that unfortunate sound of the ball hitting the frame of the goal no fewer than 13 times, the most of any team across the five major European leagues. A total that grew during the manic match in Bruges, when the blaugranes hit the woodwork three times.

It's clear that Barça create a lot of chances, but they don't always end up in goals. They have been so close on 13 occasions, when the woodwork has unfortunately got in the way. The ability to create great chances contrasts with bad luck from a statistical standpoint, as Flick's side have hit the woodwork 13 times so far in the 2025/26 season, a figure that sees them joint top for European teams on that metric with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Three by three in the Champions League

The total grew during the manic draw at the Jan Breydel stadium; the match with the fifth most shots by Flick's side this season, no fewer than 23. They may have come away with a win if Kounde, Eric and Fermín had overcome the misfortune in Europe, but it continued in Bruges, a city where the record for balls hitting the woodwork this season so far was set. There were three in total, mirroring another two Champions league games last season, plus one from LaLiga.

The most recent example was when FC Barcelona and Inter Milan also drew 3-3 on Montjuïc. The other game was the 2-5 win away to Crvena zvezda. It may not be a legendary feat, but Hansi Flick's side have hit the woodwork most in a single Champions League match. It also happened during a LaLiga match in the 2024/25 season – the big 7-0 win against Real Valladolid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. 

Ferran Torres hits the frame most

Out in front for hitting the woodwork across the five major European leagues is Ferran Torres. The Spanish forward is top scorer so far this season with seven goals, but he has also hit the frame of the goal four times. That's double Raphinha and Fermín, who have each done it twice. Rashford, Lewandowski, Olmo, Eric and Kounde have also all hit the woodwork this season, a stat that sees FC Barcelona first across the five major European leagues.

There's definitely bad luck involved with being in first place, but it is also testament to Flick's side creating a lot in attack every match. Shaking off the curse may be a step towards ascending even higher this season.

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