L
linetty
Guest
That miss 
He could've won the game...
He could've won the game...
- Status
evilhita666
Barçapocalypse NOW!
On the positive side, I liked how he tried to reach our forwards with long passes...
abual3bed1
New member
Those are the games where his effectiveness come to minimum. He was doing well feeding wide players but... besides that miss, the right flank was dead with Alexis and Montoya having probably one of the worst attacking games. Tata took Cesc and Pedro, the only active players, off. And wrap it up, Tata subbed him off when we had a #9 on the pitch.
CatalinR10
Senior Member
Thierry Henry: "Xavi is incredible. He doesn't have fast feet or fancy play, but the way Xavi plays is how football should be played."
CatalinR10
Senior Member
Xavi: "Heroes? Initially Schuster, but when I began training with Barça it was Guardiola, who became my coach. Football is a small world."
Xavi: "As a youngster, we would play two-a-side in the street. I would often attempt one-twos using a bench or phone booth." [uefa]
Dem skills
Xavi: "As a youngster, we would play two-a-side in the street. I would often attempt one-twos using a bench or phone booth." [uefa]
Dem skills
F
Flavia
Guest
Xavi on Iniesta, Messi and greatness
Published: Friday 17 January 2014, 9.50CET
After Xavi Hernández made his 700th appearance for FC Barcelona, we unearth an interview from 2009 in which he talks about his idols growing up and Andrés Iniesta.
UEFA.com delves into the archive to discover some pearls of wisdom from Xavi Hernández, who pulled on the FC Barcelona shirt for the 700th time in Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final decider at Getafe CF. As well as retracing his first steps in football, the erudite midfielder, 33, reveals what it takes to reach the top and offers a glimpse into his telepathic relationship with club and country sidekick Andrés Iniesta.
UEFA.com: What are your earliest football memories?
Xavi Hernández: My first memory is a pair of football boots and a ball. Football runs in the family, so they were given to me as a Christmas present. From that moment I knew I wanted to play football. I started playing aged four at school in Terrassa, which is my home town, not too far from Barcelona. I joined Barcelona when I was 11.
UEFA.com: Who were your heroes growing up?
Xavi: Initially Bernd Schuster, but when I began training with Barcelona it was Josep Guardiola, who became my coach. Football is a small world.
UEFA.com: What skill did you work on most as a youngster?
Xavi: Above all I practised dribbling. We would play two-a-side in the street and you needed to be skilful to succeed. I would often attempt one-twos using a bench or phone booth.
UEFA.com: What advice do you have for aspiring footballers?
Xavi: The most important thing is to enjoy the game as much as possible. Never lose sight of your dreams and always pay attention to your coach. Listen carefully because it will serve you well in the future.
UEFA.com: What qualities do you need to be a great midfielder?
Xavi: You must be technically proficient. To have good control, be able to pick a pass and distribute the ball accurately is vital. These are our main weapons at Barcelona.
UEFA.com: Who is your favourite player right now?
Xavi: At the moment there's one player superior to the rest – Lionel Messi. People who know their football would agree. The players know it, everyone knows it. He's still very young and ambitious, so I expect even more from him in the future.
UEFA.com: If you could play with any midfielder – someone who is playing now – who would it be?
Xavi: The player who understands me best on the pitch, both at Barcelona and with the national team, is Andrés Iniesta. He is a complete player, we link up well together. It is a real privilege to play with players of this quality – like Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas, Marcos Senna, Yaya Touré and Sergio Busquets. I have always said I rely on my team-mates. I also like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo.
UEFA.com: What does it mean to represent Spain?
Xavi: Representing your country is the pinnacle. It is an honour, something I have said a thousand times. I hope to continue playing for however long my body allows.
UEFA.com: Spain play in a very similar way to Barcelona, so are there any differences?
Xavi: There aren't many because most of the regular players at Barcelona are also regulars in the national side. Perhaps we don't have any individual player who makes a real difference, like Messi. Both have great technical players who want to attack, which results in great football. The group as a whole is the most important thing; at Barcelona as well, but Messi makes a difference whenever he touches the ball.
©UEFA.com 1998-2013. All rights reserved.
Published: Friday 17 January 2014, 9.50CET
After Xavi Hernández made his 700th appearance for FC Barcelona, we unearth an interview from 2009 in which he talks about his idols growing up and Andrés Iniesta.
UEFA.com delves into the archive to discover some pearls of wisdom from Xavi Hernández, who pulled on the FC Barcelona shirt for the 700th time in Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final decider at Getafe CF. As well as retracing his first steps in football, the erudite midfielder, 33, reveals what it takes to reach the top and offers a glimpse into his telepathic relationship with club and country sidekick Andrés Iniesta.
UEFA.com: What are your earliest football memories?
Xavi Hernández: My first memory is a pair of football boots and a ball. Football runs in the family, so they were given to me as a Christmas present. From that moment I knew I wanted to play football. I started playing aged four at school in Terrassa, which is my home town, not too far from Barcelona. I joined Barcelona when I was 11.
UEFA.com: Who were your heroes growing up?
Xavi: Initially Bernd Schuster, but when I began training with Barcelona it was Josep Guardiola, who became my coach. Football is a small world.
UEFA.com: What skill did you work on most as a youngster?
Xavi: Above all I practised dribbling. We would play two-a-side in the street and you needed to be skilful to succeed. I would often attempt one-twos using a bench or phone booth.
UEFA.com: What advice do you have for aspiring footballers?
Xavi: The most important thing is to enjoy the game as much as possible. Never lose sight of your dreams and always pay attention to your coach. Listen carefully because it will serve you well in the future.
UEFA.com: What qualities do you need to be a great midfielder?
Xavi: You must be technically proficient. To have good control, be able to pick a pass and distribute the ball accurately is vital. These are our main weapons at Barcelona.
UEFA.com: Who is your favourite player right now?
Xavi: At the moment there's one player superior to the rest – Lionel Messi. People who know their football would agree. The players know it, everyone knows it. He's still very young and ambitious, so I expect even more from him in the future.
UEFA.com: If you could play with any midfielder – someone who is playing now – who would it be?
Xavi: The player who understands me best on the pitch, both at Barcelona and with the national team, is Andrés Iniesta. He is a complete player, we link up well together. It is a real privilege to play with players of this quality – like Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas, Marcos Senna, Yaya Touré and Sergio Busquets. I have always said I rely on my team-mates. I also like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo.
UEFA.com: What does it mean to represent Spain?
Xavi: Representing your country is the pinnacle. It is an honour, something I have said a thousand times. I hope to continue playing for however long my body allows.
UEFA.com: Spain play in a very similar way to Barcelona, so are there any differences?
Xavi: There aren't many because most of the regular players at Barcelona are also regulars in the national side. Perhaps we don't have any individual player who makes a real difference, like Messi. Both have great technical players who want to attack, which results in great football. The group as a whole is the most important thing; at Barcelona as well, but Messi makes a difference whenever he touches the ball.
©UEFA.com 1998-2013. All rights reserved.
Pepe Silvia
Active member
Shout out to Xavi on 700.
:barca scarf:
:barca scarf:
abual3bed1
New member
P
Patty2720
Guest
Terrible so far
raedkuwait
Senior Member
Not one single through ball when he had so many chances for players making runs,
he used to be perfect at those through balls really, terrible really all he can do is
pass side ways now
he used to be perfect at those through balls really, terrible really all he can do is
pass side ways now
Messi_Goal
New member
Don't get all sentimental....but this should be Xavi`s last season as a first team starter he is so far away from the player he used to be
JamDav1982
Senior Member
I still like him and think he has a place, but that place should be to keep the ball ticking and giving it to a more creative player that will take more risks playing along side him.
Don't want to see him in the final third making one safe pass after another. The midfield looks very predictable unless Cesc or Iniesta is in beside him.
Don't want to see him in the final third making one safe pass after another. The midfield looks very predictable unless Cesc or Iniesta is in beside him.
CatalinR10
Senior Member
These days Messi has to drop deeper to give through balls because Xavi doesn't do it anymore.
The Observer
New member
Not sure if
declined
fatigued playing 2 games in 3 days
disgusted by his midfield partners Song and Roberto
declined
fatigued playing 2 games in 3 days
disgusted by his midfield partners Song and Roberto
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