Barcelona & Xavi Hernandez — a trip down memory lane, a thread [🧵].
In this thread, I’ll be analysing the earlier performances of FC Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez & create a contrast with the current set-up & performances focusing on the downfall in football.
Xavi-ball!
In this thread, I’ll be analysing the earlier performances of FC Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez & create a contrast with the current set-up & performances focusing on the downfall in football.
Xavi-ball!
![Barcelona & Xavi Hernandez — a trip down memory lane, a thread [🧵].
In this thread, I’ll be ana...](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_PIHcZWUAARo2f.jpg)
*Why* did I choose this topic?
Any Barça fan who’s followed this team consistently during Xavi’s tenure knows that the football we played in his early days was exponentially better than the football we’re playing currently.
Hence, I want to take a ‘trip down memory lane’
Any Barça fan who’s followed this team consistently during Xavi’s tenure knows that the football we played in his early days was exponentially better than the football we’re playing currently.
Hence, I want to take a ‘trip down memory lane’
It’s important to take a step back, look, observe & understand what exactly went wrong that led to the stale, stagnant football we’re playing.
If anything, I think this tenure proves that Xavi has what it takes, but the question will continue to be—will it be at Barça?
Unsure.
If anything, I think this tenure proves that Xavi has what it takes, but the question will continue to be—will it be at Barça?
Unsure.
But, that’s not our concern & what we CAN look at is the things we’re lacking because it’s not exactly a “Xavi is completely clueless” scenario.
He’s a seasoned professional who’s one of the greatest players of all time. You don’t do that w/o having sublime tactical knowledge.
He’s a seasoned professional who’s one of the greatest players of all time. You don’t do that w/o having sublime tactical knowledge.
Xavi’s first few games were not easy at all, for him as a coach to deal w/
There was a significant lack of quality in the front-line until Barça acquired forwards in the January transfer window
Ferran, Adama and Auba—decent additions
But, Alves was the best signing in January.
There was a significant lack of quality in the front-line until Barça acquired forwards in the January transfer window
Ferran, Adama and Auba—decent additions
But, Alves was the best signing in January.
Currently, Barcelona face issues in & out of possession—exact opposite of Xavi’s first season here.
I’d like to take a look at what separates the two sides under the same manager w/ a few differences in squad composition.
We need to introspect & learn from our past.
I’d like to take a look at what separates the two sides under the same manager w/ a few differences in squad composition.
We need to introspect & learn from our past.
• 𝑰𝒏 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
Barcelona’s issues in possession right now are clear & unexpected at this time of the project.
The more surprising part about it, is that the play in possession was phenomenal during the stages of ‘Early Xavi’s Barcelona’ — dynamic and fluid.
Barcelona’s issues in possession right now are clear & unexpected at this time of the project.
The more surprising part about it, is that the play in possession was phenomenal during the stages of ‘Early Xavi’s Barcelona’ — dynamic and fluid.
Barcelona in 21-22 under Xavi played a classic 4-3-3 on paper w/ a proper 3 man-midfield & conventional wingers.
Frenkie, Pedri & Busquets forming the midfield 3 alongside Ferran, Aubameyang & Adama forming the front 3.
Alba, Pique, Araujo & Dest/Garcia forming the backline.
Frenkie, Pedri & Busquets forming the midfield 3 alongside Ferran, Aubameyang & Adama forming the front 3.
Alba, Pique, Araujo & Dest/Garcia forming the backline.
The difference in play we’re seeing right now is due to a few factors :
—the veterans (Busi, Alba, Piqué)
—connectivity between phases
—proper balance in wing-combination
—consistent rotations
These are the in-possession factors—caused the success of early Xavi’s era, here.
—the veterans (Busi, Alba, Piqué)
—connectivity between phases
—proper balance in wing-combination
—consistent rotations
These are the in-possession factors—caused the success of early Xavi’s era, here.
Barcelona had a very similar structure in build-up back then, too. Although, it was more of a 4-3-3 which allowed for more rotations (from both sides) as compared to the 4-2-4 which requires more initiation—lacking, rn. There’s a lot of occupation, but not correct usage of it.
FDJ and Pedri as interiors meant that both players were more than proficient in deeper areas—meant more routes/options for the CBs and GK in build-up.
One important difference is also the positioning of Jordi Alba—he was exemplary w/ his movements—>creating superiorities.
One important difference is also the positioning of Jordi Alba—he was exemplary w/ his movements—>creating superiorities.
Two reasons as to why Barcelona’s football right now isn’t remotely close to what we were—absence of the veterans (like I’ve mentioned) and lack of initiation from the 2nd/3rd phases. The difference in the roles of the interiors makes a huge difference—w.r.t progression routes.
Pedri and FDJ dropping in from each side had access to the middle and the flanks on both sides while being able to create superiorities down below in the 1st phase while occassionally dropping in—incredible amounts of progressional possibilities. Blessed to have such midfielders.
They could create third man circuits with the FBs/inverted FB (Alves) or have direct access to the wingers to create chances by offering direct access from the 1st to the 3rd phase.
Alves as inverted FB was game-changing—vision, understanding & conduction was outstanding.
Alves as inverted FB was game-changing—vision, understanding & conduction was outstanding.
It’s sort of what Xavi is looking for with Cancelo. But, Cancelo isn’t that type of a player. Alves was incredibly aware & often knew when to progress & how to progress, which Cancelo cannot come close to. Barcelona tried to revert to that against Alaves but it didn’t work out.
There were constant rotations in this side :
—FDJ rotates with the FBs/wingers
—Busquets pushes up, FDJ drops deep/Alves covers for Busi
—Ferran drifts centrally, Alba/LCM overlaps
So many rotations & movements—arriving into zones rather than occupying it rigidly.
—FDJ rotates with the FBs/wingers
—Busquets pushes up, FDJ drops deep/Alves covers for Busi
—Ferran drifts centrally, Alba/LCM overlaps
So many rotations & movements—arriving into zones rather than occupying it rigidly.
But, the absence of these players & the entrance of new players implies that it wasn’t exactly a coaching masterclass that caused the exceptional display of footballing principles & fundamentals—Xavi set the structural base, the players had to use their game IQ to apply.
Another important difference is the balance in winger pairing. Granted, Adama & Ferran aren’t ideal wingers in terms of quality, but the profiles matched for a team like Barcelona’s, in the exact right manner. A rotational winger w/ a moving FB & isolation RW w/ an inverted RB.
Alba was a complete mover—helped act as a 3rd CB/FB in build up to progress the ball, acted as an intermediate in the second phase when an interior was further up & also overlapped w/ Ferran when he drifted centrally. But, Balde’s forced out wide, entirely & that’s a waste.
That made the perfect LHS combo, two players who’re apt at rotating to create combinations & space.
To combine w/ the movers, Barça possessed a RW who thrived in isolation & 1v1s—ideal b/c :
—RB inverted into midfield to support the midfield, esp. Busi
—Adama’s forté being 1v1
To combine w/ the movers, Barça possessed a RW who thrived in isolation & 1v1s—ideal b/c :
—RB inverted into midfield to support the midfield, esp. Busi
—Adama’s forté being 1v1
You’ve both types of chance creation dynamics in this sense :
—take on/1v1 chance creation on the right hand side
—runner/central drifter with an overlapping/rotating FB w/ creative prowess
Barcelona lack the first type of chance creation dynamic currently w/ Dembouz’s sale.
—take on/1v1 chance creation on the right hand side
—runner/central drifter with an overlapping/rotating FB w/ creative prowess
Barcelona lack the first type of chance creation dynamic currently w/ Dembouz’s sale.
And, Ferran isn’t being played much anymore due to the emergence of Felix—who’s not exactly a runner but is more of ball to feet—same as Raphinha on the other wing, which makes chance creation extremely one-dimensional, which led to poor penetration from wide areas.
• — The point is & has always remained the same. The absence of players who understand space & movements, along w/ players who’d the ability to use their individual capabilities/experience to create a collective rhythm to manifest principles that weren’t coached hurts.
That was for the good since they were in a complete decline but it left Xavi in a hot mess of how to deal w/ the incoming signings & how to coach them to play the way the old guard did due to their prior experience & reception of coaching. It left him unclear on how to proceed.
His structural/theoretical idea & his ability to find the right structures that create superiorities in possession play based on the team are both impressive. But, if he has no clue on how to make things work, on how to apply the theory—he can’t succeed here.
The end, AM ❤️.
The end, AM ❤️.
Also, huge thanks to @jdeposicion for his massive assist & guidance towards my analysis & I took a lot of the inspiration to formulate this thread from his infamous ‘#JdPExplains’
Honestly grateful & please do let me know your honest & genuine feedback/disagreements.
Thanks.
Honestly grateful & please do let me know your honest & genuine feedback/disagreements.
Thanks.
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