Xavi Hernández

[JamDav1982]

The actual argument against ev us that he indeed had a world class team back in 2019 (even with aging stars and issues as all teams) and was the main culprit for the Anfield fiasco. He was living on borrow time after that and with the first misstep he was booted as expected. Criticism against him was fair.

On the Xavi front, of course he doesn't have an equal squad to that one ( contrary to what many thought back then, playing younger players who run a lot means little if their level is miles of your veterans as proven).

what he does have is massively lower competition for the league, free rain to run transfers, a really decent core of young players and all the support a manager could ask for. So, expectations are not to reach sf of CL but to challenge the league, play some decent football and manage some convincing wins against smaller teams.

Xavi has a better back line and midfield than EV did and Real were stronger then also at very least in that first season.

Real went out to Ajax in that 2nd season... a better side than any Real beat last season.

For everyone whoe tries to make out 'but he had Messi'... In Messis last 5 seasons he won the league twice.. both of EVs full seasons.

 

[JohnN]

rakitic, vidal, arthur, Coutinho, Busquets

'worldclass team'

Pep's barca would have feared this amazing midfield

Pep's Barca is not the benchmark to decide if a team was world class in 2019. its all relative to the current collective level. if current team is to 15 in the world that one was definitely top 3

 

[serghei]

Actually, City and Madrid have 3 semis in the last 3 seasons each.

Chelsea 1 in 3 (actually 1 in 4)
Inter 1 in 3
Liverpool 1 in 3 (actually 1 in 4)
Milan 1 in 3
Villareal 1 in 3 (actually 1 in 4)
and PSG 1 in 3

can't be named as regulars in CL semi level. Only City and Madrid can be called that.

Bayern for example has no semi in the last 3 years. Lost to PSG in 2020-21, Villareal in 21-22, and City in 22-23. All in QF if I'm not wrong.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Pep's Barca is not the benchmark to decide if a team was world class in 2019. its all relative to the current collective level. if current team is to 15 in the world that one was definitely top 3

Top3? Dude.....

From 2019 team the only worldclass player was La Pulga

Frenkie De Jong alone is better than the whole midfield from 2019

 

[JamDav1982]

Who cares who has lost in semis?

Why would Real get credit for getting hammered by first decent team they met in semis?

Those teams have won to the QF point...

Amazing how failing in semis is used as argument for some and against others.

 

[JohnN]

yeah, semis need some luck too. can't be am actual target for us currently. of course we will Tey given the chance but anyone can see it would be a fluke if barca managed it. a round of 16 exit is totally in the cards this season. I only wish we give a good fight and not get demolished. that is the goal in Europe from now on. don't get smashed.

 

[serghei]

Madrid last season beat EPL sides that finished 2nd and 3rd in the previous EPL season in Last 16, and QF.

In the season before they faced PSG, Liverpool, City, Chelsea (holders), some of the best teams if not all of the rest top 5 next to them.

They have had some tough draws in recent seasons.

 

[JamDav1982]

Madrid last season beat EPL sides that finished 2nd and 3rd in the previous EPL season in Last 16, and QF.

They beat x2 EPL sides who last season.. when they playd them failed to make top four.

It is like beating Man Utd this season and claiming beat 3rd best in EPL.

Liverpool and Chelsea were off form last season and Barca met better sides in Bayern and Man Utd.

First top side last season Real met were City and were hammered.

By your logic Xavis Barca got beat by the worst Man Utd in EPL history as thats what they were the season before.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Regularly? What does that mean?

The only teams that achieved semifinals in last 2 seasons in CL are City and Madrid. Both have won La Liga and EPL in recent period, and are favorites to win it this season again.

Recent period? Didn't we already establish Barca and Xavi are the champions now?

 

[JohnN]

Top3? Dude.....

From 2019 team the only worldclass player was La Pulga

Frenkie De Jong alone is better than the whole midfield from 2019

Name me teams in 2019 clearly better than Barca that season. remember the season existed before Annfield. Liverpool, (arguably their beat iteration of modern times) got smashed 3-0, as everyone else we encountered.

 

[serghei]

They beat x2 EPL sides who last season.. when they playd them failed to make top four.

It is like beating Man Utd this season and claiming beat 3rd best in EPL.

Liverpool and Chelsea were off form last season and Barca met better sides in Bayern and Man Utd.

If they were off form after making the CL final last season, that's not the sign of an easy draw. Madrid would've handled any other team except for City last season.

Nobody says they are better than City. They are no2 after City, comfortably. Bayern need to stop losing to likes of Villareal and beat them if they want to be seen as better.

 

[JamDav1982]

If they were off form after making the CL final last season, that's not the sign of an easy draw.

Yes last season Chelsea and Liverpool were not one of top 4 teams in EPL.

Chelsea being miles off it.

By your logic Xavis Barca lost to worst Man Utd in EPL history.

City were first top team Real met last season in CL and got hammered.

 

[serghei]

You make no sense as usual. What other top teams they could have faced earlier? Napoli, Milan, Porto, Benfica, Inter ?

The CL was not at a very competitive level last season.

 

[JamDav1982]

You make no sense as usual. What other top teams they could have faced earlier? Napoli, Milan, Porto, Benfica, Inter ?

The CL was not at a very competitive level last season.

Make much more sense than your usual drivel.

Chelsea and Liverpool were not top sides last season.

Simple as that.

As much as it hurts your gushing about Real that is fact.

Do better.

Not 'competitive' for likes of Real when meet a top side. yes.

That be same Inter and Milan you were claiming to be two of top 4/5 teams in Europe based on that seasons performances?

Contradicting yourself as per usual.

 

[serghei]

Make much more sense than your usual drivel.

Chelsea and Liverpool were not top sides last season.

Simple as that.

As much as it hurts your gushing about Real that is fact.

Do better.

Not 'competitive' for likes of Real when meet a top side. yes.

I told you. Arsenal, one of the best sides last season was not in the competition. Not much else in the competition for Madrid to face in terms of top teams except for City.

And maybe Bayern. But then Bayern were a mess last season and should have even lost Bundesliga title to Dortmund. Not so sure they count as a top team really, considering that in the season before they were knocked out by Villareal.