Xavi Hernández

[DonAK]

And for people saying that we cannot boot all of Busquets, Pique and Alba out right now then it's OK.

But you can start with remodeling the midfield by benching Busquets and make him choose to stay at Barca on a reduced role like Xavi had his last season or move on.

In the summer you can look for Pique and Alba's replacements if you're not convinced with Eric.

But you HAVE to start somewhere. Xavi talks a lot about players playing on merit and said it again when he was asked about why Luuk is starting. He said Luuk is performing well and scoring so he deserves to start and that under him players will always start on their merit through their performances.

But that isn't happening is it?

Listen, I'm not the biggest fan of Eric Garcia and have criticized him a lot, but I have seen a lot of improvement in him lately. Surely that deserves him at least starting some games over Pique?

But he most likely won't.

This in the end will be Xavi's undoing regardless of what he does tactically or if we bring in top class players.

 

[JamDav1982]

Rodri is more mobile, stronger and better striker of a ball whether it be a shot or zinged pass out wide.

Most of all he holds his position better.

Busi is better as disguised passes to open game up but when Real sit like do today and give him ball that is near enough impossible to do.

I would bet my bottom dollar that Reals tactics were set up to expose Busis shortcomings more than any other area today.#;

Leave Busquets on ball and sit off, break into space he leaves when presses out of position, target Alves early with Vini and wide so he cant get on ball in midfield area to support Busquets.

Without a doubt they targeted the old legs time and again.

Also left Araujo on the ball as he hoofed a few out early doors.

 

[serghei]

The thing with Rodri is that Guardiola is proving that the modern DM role is not some art that Busi has it and others don't.

It is a perfectly trainable role and position if you know what you are doing as a manager and have the right player who could absorb the knowledge and work on his skills to improve his deficiencies. The progress of Rodri from the last 2 seasons to this season is enormous.

Of course, we probably don't have a manager like Guardiola, nor a player as fit for a DM as Rodri was/is.

 

[DonAK]

As much as I want to be positive about how we're competing better and the young players we have it's tough to have to watch Busquets like this every single game. He plays every single game he is available. Most games he is not good. Some games he does well, but it's mostly vs. poor teams where they give him more than enough time on the ball to do whatever he want, and where they don't press him or where he doesn't have to run much to position himself well.

Honestly won't even be surprised if he's still the starter next season and his contract which is set to run out in 2023 is extended even.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Main problem I have with Xavi is direction, and where we stands in our rebuild.

regarding direction:
Do we play possession football? are we attacking team? conservative one? are we pressing or sitting back?
I seriously don't know, and it seems he has a problem doing one way without backclash.
For example we don't know how to press and attack without leaving our defense open.
Also, this weird formations he uses with basically no fullbacks drives me nuts tbh.
Feels like he can be easily outcoached at times tbf

Same with our rebuild, he basically gave up on Balde and Dest 2 months into the season, while only having ancient Alves & Alba there. He has old Busquets as undisputed starter and seems to think more and more about short term when we need a long term direction.
He seems to appreciate experience and Spanish players a bit too much for a coach coming for rebuild.

There are positive signs, as team spirit is far better than it was under Koeman, but those aforementioned are real worries after 2 months

 

[jamrock]

Kinda hurt us more than he helped us with most of his substitutions.

 

[Mateka]

Kinda hurt us more than he helped us with most of his substitutions.

First half 1-1 but on balance the better team RM. But RM were on the ropes in the 2nd half. What got them back in the game was Barca substitutions.

 

[iniestaGOAT]

Please sign New backline and GK instead of Mortata and Haland.

 

[iniestaGOAT]

First half 1-1 but on balance the better team RM. But RM were on the ropes in the 2nd half. What got them back in the game was Barca substitutions.

Correct.

 

[MTL_Barca]

And for people saying that we cannot boot all of Busquets, Pique and Alba out right now then it's OK.

But you can start with remodeling the midfield by benching Busquets and make him choose to stay at Barca on a reduced role like Xavi had his last season or move on.

In the summer you can look for Pique and Alba's replacements if you're not convinced with Eric.

But you HAVE to start somewhere. Xavi talks a lot about players playing on merit and said it again when he was asked about why Luuk is starting. He said Luuk is performing well and scoring so he deserves to start and that under him players will always start on their merit through their performances.

But that isn't happening is it?

Listen, I'm not the biggest fan of Eric Garcia and have criticized him a lot, but I have seen a lot of improvement in him lately. Surely that deserves him at least starting some games over Pique?

But he most likely won't.

This in the end will be Xavi's undoing regardless of what he does tactically or if we bring in top class players.

The worst part is there isn't even an attempt to replace Busquets, he was just declared best DM and since then has is spot cemented. Who's the last DM we signed, Alex Song who played CB? Other than that we had Samper (lmao), and then some games where Rakitic played DM but thats about it. Frenkie never really got a shot there, seemed more like a delayed Iniesta replacement because Coutinho sucked.

For Alba they at least signed Digne, Firpo for a lot of money. Had/have players from b-team join. There are rumors of new signings. Sure can argue about if they got a fair chance, but at least there was competition in theory. Similar with Pique, he still plays but there would be enough CBs to bench him, rest is just on the coach.

But with Busi it seems everyone is fine with him starting every game forever without any competition. I mean we can blame Xavi, but honestly if Frenkie fails as a lone DM too then he doesn't really have any good alternative option.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

I find it interesting how angry Xavi seems to be on the sidelines. Like his instructions are not being followed. Anyone with any insights/translations on what he is shouting to the players?

 

[Andresito]

I find it interesting how angry Xavi seems to be on the sidelines. Like his instructions are not being followed. Anyone with any insights/translations on what he is shouting to the players?

We very often see him clapping and encouraging the players as well.

 

[FCBarca]

I found it normal tbh, no different than Pep. I remember late in the 1st half there was good work in attack occurring on the right flank and then was furious when they tried to switch it out left and killed the attack when it was easily intercepted - I felt the same way.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

We very often see him clapping and encouraging the players as well.

Sure. I'm not trying to paint him as some demon. I'm just curious to know what he's saying when he's pissed.

 

[Messi983]

We're at least competitive with good teams (Sevilla, Real) again so that's a positive thing. Still a lot of work to do though.

Should never conceded that 3rd goal the way we did. Not in a tied game with 20+ minutes still to play at least. He looked very naive tactically there and should definitely improve and adapt to the team he has. Can't play a high line when Araujo is the only defender who can deal with likes of Vinicius.