FC Barcelona vs Espanyol | Xavi’s Barça Managerial Debut | 5 Key Takeaways

Eight! That’s the number of La Masia graduates Xavi included in his first starting lineup as Barcelona manager. The excitement surrounding the match was evident with the Camp Nou crowd roaring for the first time in quite a while. Xavi didn’t have much time to prepare, but it does look like he has already been able to transfer some of the principles onto his players, and that’s what we saw in this match. The playing style had quite a few noticeable changes, but the patterns were quite similar to what we are used to seeing. Xavi’s Barcelona showed glimpses of what they are capable of, so let’s dive deeper into those details. 

Starting XI

Higher Intensity 

Xavi didn’t make wholesale changes in the lineup as expected and several passing patterns were similar to that of previous games this season. One thing that did change was the intensity with which Barcelona played. The players were working relentlessly for most of the game and they were moving the ball with a lot of purpose. The speed of passing was greatly improved as well, which allowed for quick movements and one-twos. This further increased the tempo of the game and the opposition couldn’t close down the ball. Barcelona’s press was immediate and effective as well due to the intensity which was alive off the ball as well. This change could be attributed to the new manager bounce with the Barcelona players excited upon Xavi’s arrival. The stadium was filled with almost 75,000 fans, which made for a wonderful atmosphere which would definitely have got the players up and running. Whatever it may be, this intensity needs to continue going forward. 

System > Player Quality

Xavi was bound to include a surprise player in the lineup due to the lack of a natural right winger. Thankfully it wasn’t Luuk De Jong, it was Ilias Akhomach starting on the right wing for Barcelona for Xavi’s first game in charge. This told us a lot about how Xavi wants Barcelona to play. The wingers Ilias Akhomach and Gavi were successful in stretching the pitch and pulling the opposition fullbacks out of position. The wingers were always available to receive the ball and take the defender on. The young wingers were tirelessly tracking back as well. Abde came on in the second half and he was brilliant. He made many perfect timed runs in behind and completed 6 dribbles. Gavi was one of the best players on the pitch. He was maintaining the width and was always willing to drive the ball infield. His runs and passes into the penalty area were a constant threat. The positioning and movement of the fullbacks was an important change made by Xavi, Jordi Alba’s role this game was varied to what we have seen from him. He still made his overlapping runs and provided width on the left flank, but he was certainly more reserved than usual. He didn’t push up very high and he was only facilitating Gavi rather than providing all the width on the left flank. Frenkie De Jong, Alba and Gavi were combing well on that side of the pitch which gave Barcelona numerical superiority and also gave them the opportunity to switch the play, where the right winger could run at the fullback.

Left Flank Overload

Mingueza was even more reserved in terms of his position and formed at times a back 3 to provide defensive solidity, which prevented Barcelona from being exposed on the counter. All these patterns indicate that Xavi is much more willing to drop high profile individuals in order to accommodate the players that fit well into his system.

Midfield Revitalized 

Barcelona’s posses a plethora of great midfielders and it’s about time we see them flourishing. Frenkie De Jong and Busquets looked a shadow of their former selves this season, but this game can be looked at as some sort of a renaissance. Frenkie De Jong was at the heart of absolutely everything Barcelona did well. He carried the ball forward effortlessly and combined brilliantly with his teammates. His runs in behind were ever present, just that no one managed to send him through on goal. He initiated several counter attacks as well, sending Memphis though on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, De Jong’s midfield counterpart Busquets was controlling the tempo of the game. Busquets looked comfortable in the system due to the added cover he was getting. He was surprisingly the most advanced player of Barcelona’s midfield while pressing. With the forwards pressing on the front foot, it was Busquets who pushed up as well to close down the opposition from moving the ball up the pitch. Nico had a good game as well, as he has been having for the last few games. 

Deserved Clean Sheet?

Barcelona look comfortable for most of the game, but in the last 20 minutes or so, Barcelona could have easily conceded twice. At the end, the clean sheet was secured, but we are still not able to clearly access the defensive performance by Barcelona this game. For me, it seemed nothing but positive, even defensively for most of the game. The forward line is the first line of defence. Pressing on the front foot is important for the team’s defensive balance and that the pressing this game was on point for the majority of the game. Due to a packed middle of the pitch and left flank, Barcelona were able to immediately press once they lost the ball. When Espanyol were progressing from the back, say from a goal kick, Gavi and Memphis occupied the centre backs, Akhomach and Alba pressed on the flanks, Busquets stepped forward to take part in the press, while the interior positioned themselves to intercept the ball in the middle of the field. This was the way in which Barcelona won the ball back many times. 

Barcelona's Organized Press

The fullbacks’ reserved positioning aforementioned also played a big part in Barcelona’s quest for a clean sheet. With Barcelona keeping the ball and controlling the game, Eric Garcia looked at home and was able to display his great range of passing. The last quarter of the game was of course disappointing and could have turned the fixture around, but the overall defensive display from Xavi’s Barcelona deserved the clean sheet. 

Compact Defensive Unit

Work in Progress

Xavi’s job at Barcelona will not easy. Despite all the enthusiasm, changes and rules that Xavi brings, it will take time to rebuild the club. The win against Espanyol was hard fought, and that is exactly was the rest of the games of the season will be. The game against Benfica midweek will be a crucial one and Xavi needs his player to turn up. Last time, the team suffered a 3-0 defeat but the there was much more to that game. Barcelona have the tools to beat clubs like Benfica, but football is defined by small margins. On another day, those two late goals could go in to inflict misery upon Barcelona. Xavi has a lot of work to do, to get Barcelona back amongst the best. 

There you have it, the my 5 key takeaways from Xavi’s first game in charge of FC Barcelona. Comment down below, what you were excited to see from Xavi’s Barcelona, share the content and why not check out the Xavi Managerial Analysis, if you haven’t already. Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you back soon and remember it’s more than a blog.