Xavi Hernández

[evilhita666]

When he had a chance to do his thing he was good, but as has been said, despite having a lot of possession, it was a fast paced match that did not benefit his strengths...

 

[beogatts]

hes a good passer n i think lucho started him to make barca "unpredictable"

 

[CuleLife4Life]

I thought he was good today.

That being said, Xavi is older now and a fast game isn't something that he is 100% comfortable with.

 

[Flavia]

It wasn't just him though, so was Rakitic, Busquets and the entire defence. Iniesta or Rakitic would probably (ahem Flavia ahem) have not fared any better. Barca cannot handle that type of pressing anymore with passing. They're relying on giving it to the forwards quickly and punching the opposition before they know what's coming.

This was never going to be a good game that he would dominate but the type of late runs he made, nobody else in Barca does that. Also, some really nice controls today.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Xavi looked like the game was moving too fast for him today, should have scored when he went past the keeper

Hardly. Bar Messi, he was the "fastest" Barça player on the pitch, except for that moment, where he simply showed his midfielder tendency to look for the pass (rather than an attacker's instinct to shoot). His mind, scanning, and reading of the game still makes him faster reacting than anyone on the team except Messi (and usually Busquets). Bilbao's excellent pressure had the rest of Barça forcing passes and making blind clearances, but they couldn't touch Xavi. Excellent game from the Maestro.

 

[pacp_96]

I thought Xavi did fantastic. He got further forwards a couple of times as well which he doesn't normally do when partnered with Iniesta. Overall a good performance from him.

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

Hardly. Bar Messi, he was the "fastest" Barça player on the pitch, except for that moment, where he simply showed his midfielder tendency to look for the pass (rather than an attacker's instinct to shoot). His mind, scanning, and reading of the game still makes him faster reacting than anyone on the team except Messi (and usually Busquets). Bilbao's excellent pressure had the rest of Barça forcing passes and making blind clearances, but they couldn't touch Xavi. Excellent game from the Maestro.

You really have to learn the difference between blind clearances and intentional long balls that are played into a certain zone.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

You really have to learn the difference between blind clearances and intentional long balls that are played into a certain zone.

Please. Barça had a hard time dealing with the pressure. Sky balls, and clearances out of touch are forced, not desired, whether or not there's a Barça player near them. I'm not talking about intentionally direct play. For sure, the players who had the worst of it were the defenders. Bottom line: Xavi dealt better with Bilbao pressure yesterday better than anyone else. Period (though Messi, who invites pressure in a different role, is a separate case). Always knew what to do with the ball before he got it, even playing away against the best pressing opponent Barça has seen this season.

 

[DinhoR10]

Please. Barça had a hard time dealing with the pressure. Sky balls, and clearances out of touch are forced, not desired, whether or not there's a Barça player near them. I'm not talking about intentionally direct play. For sure, the players who had the worst of it were the defenders. Bottom line: Xavi dealt better with Bilbao pressure yesterday better than anyone else. Period (though Messi, who invites pressure in a different role, is a separate case). Always knew what to do with the ball before he got it, even playing away against the best pressing opponent Barça has seen this season.

We just played Atletico how can you say Atletic is the best pressing team we've faced, Atletico's entire thing is pressing thats literally the only thing they do against us.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

We just played Atletico how can you say Atletic is the best pressing team we've faced, Atletico's entire thing is pressing thats literally the only thing they do against us.

I disagree. Atletico didn't press up the pitch until they were forced to after going behind in after the first leg. They normally defend deep against Barcelona. Atletic pressed higher and harder and more effectively disrupted Barça playing out of the back. The flipside of that aggression is that whenever Barça was able to get the ball past the press, there was more room than Atletico generally allows, and of course Atletic were finished as soon as they went down to 10 players.

 

[DinhoR10]

I disagree. Atletico didn't press up the pitch until they were forced to after going behind in after the first leg. They normally defend deep against Barcelona. Atletic pressed higher and harder and more effectively disrupted Barça playing out of the back. The flipside of that aggression is that whenever Barça was able to get the ball past the press, there was more room than Atletico generally allows, and of course Atletic were finished as soon as they went down to 10 players.

Did you watch the 2-3 game? Theres no way you can say that if you did. Also last year at home they also Pressed high up the pitch. They press high at home and defend deep away against us, atleast its been that way since 2013.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Did you watch the 2-3 game? Theres no way you can say that if you did. Also last year at home they also Pressed high up the pitch. They press high at home and defend deep away against us, atleast its been that way since 2013.

Yes, that is what I said: "Atletico didn't press up the pitch *until they were forced to after going behind after the first leg*." So yes, I saw them press in the second leg of the Copa at home (the 3-2 to which you refer), and yes, I think Atletic caused Barça more problems getting out of the back than Athletic.

 

[beautifulgame]

Hardly. Bar Messi, he was the "fastest" Barça player on the pitch, except for that moment, where he simply showed his midfielder tendency to look for the pass (rather than an attacker's instinct to shoot). His mind, scanning, and reading of the game still makes him faster reacting than anyone on the team except Messi (and usually Busquets). Bilbao's excellent pressure had the rest of Barça forcing passes and making blind clearances, but they couldn't touch Xavi. Excellent game from the Maestro.

Really bias.
Xavi had strong game with ball but was always biggest liability without and in large part issue with the first goal. Cools beans tho

 

[DonAndres]

Idk how people think he played poorly here. He kept the play moving swiftly with his touches and didn't slow down the rhythm (became more comfortable as the game went on). He actually had plenty of slick moments and helped to facilitate the attack. He's not what he once was of course but he's still got the tools to contribute to this team in an important way and was one of the protagonists in that match.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg46qii2NBk

Idk how people think he played poorly here. He kept the play moving swiftly with his touches and didn't slow down the rhythm (became more comfortable as the game went on). He actually had plenty of slick moments and helped to facilitate the attack. He's not what he once was of course but he's still got the tools to contribute to this team in an important way and was one of the protagonists in that match.

Completely agree, one of the MOTM for me. Quickest player on the pitch, save Messi, because his reading of the game and player positions is still the best.