Barcelona are facing something of a crisis after being all but knocked out of the Champions League and losing to Real Madrid in the space of five days. It leaves them three points behind Los Blancos but perhaps more pertinently, facing serious question marks about their ability to cope against bigger sides.
One of the most under fire figures was Sergio Busquets, who was withdrawn after the hour mark, yet Xavi Hernandez went out of his way to defend his captain in his pre-match press conference. The Blaugrana face Villarreal on Thursday evening at Camp Nou.
Speaking to Marca, Xavi was asked whether their failings against Real Madrid were a mental problem.
“I don’t think it’s a mental issue. We had them there [in their box]. We had the opportunity to equalise and make it 2-2. Also at 1-1 before the break. Madrid are a great team. It is the current champion of Europe and League. I don’t think it’s a mental issue. The team showed face right until the end.”
It was also put to him that Barcelona appear vulnerable on the counter and that he had put down that down to errors in both matches against Inter and Real Madrid, where they conceded six goals in total.
“They are errors of the whole team, tactical things that we can adjust. We have to be more aggressive. To position ourselves better after losing the ball. Make more tactical fouls. There are many situations where we can improve.”
So far Xavi has been stubborn with his ideas – something that is somewhat to be expected from someone so inculcated in a certain style of football. He appears to be unwilling to alter the ideas themselves and is keen to perfect the execution instead.
Bouadkltuz
0
Stupid coach
MkonoJr
0
Nice tactical review bro but I think Barca has lost a lot of football basics Imagine Barca of all team don’t even make 1-2 quick pass any more in d 18 yard box or in the wings there passes are slow and predictable I hv given up on xavi We need a German coach
That's for sure, look at Pep in Barcelona and Pep in Man City. Same ideology but with so many new recepies. It's been ten years now some new ideas need to be intergrated into the ideology. Tuchel might do a fine job with this club.
Mariosuarez2
1
I don't really get the idea, he wants wingers to stay wide. Two midfilders to exploit the space between the lines and full backs to go up that leaves two defenders and one midfielder. Xavi needs to understand that there are zones to cover even when attacking. Yes good defense is offense but still you need to have people who can recycle the ball every now and then. I think it's best if full backs tucks in or one tucks in and one goes wide while one midfielder stays back with the DM and the other one joins the attack. So it's 2-3-5 when attacking in variations as shown below 👇 Mind you these are tactical formations during attack. Where players need to be and exploit spaces. The formation on paper remains 4-3-3 plus this will allow easy counter pressing.
[image]
Nice tactical review bro but I think Barca has lost a lot of football basics Imagine Barca of all team don’t even make 1-2 quick pass any more in d 18 yard box or in the wings there passes are slow and predictable I hv given up on xavi We need a German coach
vopbdenopz
0
3-0
Jayjay749
0
The problem with barca is clear when their press is inactive they suffer and also when they er the ones to chase the ball the suffer unlike madrid they can let u have the ball soak up press and hit u on the break
Fiwdlmostz
0
bro all our defenders are injured, there is no other option
it's true bro👌
lohailopz
0
This man talks too much
If you don’t have anytin to say is good not to say rather than he talks too much so what are you expected to say when they ask you a question
Huwcmnpt
3
this is the best three(3) attacker for Barcelona 1)Fati (2)Lewandowski (3)Dembele
Veecstyz
0
We will see the best Xavi and the best Barca from today going.Barca fans be happy Xavi has found the key to success.Barca Barca Baaaarca
rahbiknrz
1
RipRoz
0
bro all our defenders are injured, there is no other option
Kounde, Alba, Balde... get talent from B team. Even De Jong can play in defense. But still Xavi is going after midfielders and wingers. Pique and Garcia can be subbed on when there is a substantial lead. Both these tend to give away easy goals to the oposition.
MkonoJr
0
He wants to copy Pep period.
The idea during pep was clear wingers rotated. They were more as inside forwards and full backs occupying wings while midfielders pulling strings from midfield with one slightly forward(Iniesta) and Xavi being lower.
Barcelona_fan
0
Eric Garcia, Pique and Busquets need to be benched. Then maybe we will start winning. With these 3 in the team we are already 2 goals down even before the match starts.
bro all our defenders are injured, there is no other option
Jvon
0
[image]
No This one this better
RipRoz
7
Eric Garcia, Pique and Busquets need to be benched. Then maybe we will start winning. With these 3 in the team we are already 2 goals down even before the match starts.
visdekmnuy
4
That means we see no difference between coman and xavi .😌😌
Nujome
0
Xavi Hernandez is Coach without knowing anything about Eric, Pique, Basquit, Gavi and Pedri. We all know that they are weak and completely hopeless when it's come to matter. Putting them in big matter is the problem especially Champions league match against the Inter Milan. we see Gavi was ahead of De Jong, and Pique ahead of Kessie.
because he is stupid
wozeknprz
2
Let busi play until he’s 50. Fucking retarded think that busi is irreplaceable.
Zesaemosty
2
This man talks too much
tapablmny
0
This guy problem is too much over confidence.
ranbinrstu
0
He talks too much
Zocbdenstu
1
Xavi Hernandez is Coach without knowing anything about Eric, Pique, Basquit, Gavi and Pedri. We all know that they are weak and completely hopeless when it's come to matter. Putting them in big matter is the problem especially Champions league match against the Inter Milan. we see Gavi was ahead of De Jong, and Pique ahead of Kessie.
yetabdlouz
1
midabcdlpy
1
dembele and pique aren't needed again Dejong should always start why Busquets on the beach
yabablpruy
0
I don't really get the idea, he wants wingers to stay wide. Two midfilders to exploit the space between the lines and full backs to go up that leaves two defenders and one midfielder. Xavi needs to understand that there are zones to cover even when attacking. Yes good defense is offense but still you need to have people who can recycle the ball every now and then. I think it's best if full backs tucks in or one tucks in and one goes wide while one midfielder stays back with the DM and the other one joins the attack. So it's 2-3-5 when attacking in variations as shown below 👇 Mind you these are tactical formations during attack. Where players need to be and exploit spaces. The formation on paper remains 4-3-3 plus this will allow easy counter pressing.
[image]
He wants to copy Pep period.
UnicornWizard
4
He has to change his tactics. Tiki taka is outdated now, it doesn’t work against other teams anymore
MessiIfolo
0
I posted it before and I'll posted it again . ❗Harsh facts Barça fans and Xavi must accept : . - Busquets is not a Barça level player anymore. - Dembele is not a Champions League level player. - Eric Garcia isn't world class, just a good 3rd CB. - Gavi can't play against low block teams. - Frenkie de Jong is the best midfielder of our team. - Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts. Busquets may produce some good moments here and there throughout the season but to win a UCL with him as your CDM is impossible. Dembele is too inconsistent and immature to play for Barça in the biggest games. Eric Garcia might be a great ball player but when it comes to defending on the counter, he's sloppy and will always be a liability in the defense. . I understand Barça fans' love for Gavi and I love him too, but he should only start against high pressing teams, as he's proven to play sh*t against low block. Frenkie is too good to rot in the bench, no matter CDM or CM, he must start, every game! Raphinha is a better project to invest on than Dembele and is the type of player that you can rely on in big UCL matches and might play an average game once in a while but will never cost you goals and/or matches (like Dembele). . I don't know what y'all think Barça level is, but trust me, it's very damn high. To play for Barça and be a starter, you need to perform atleast decently in EVERY GAME. Only a few players like Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie, Raphinha, Araujo, Kounde, Balde and Stegen are Barça level at the moment. You can put them in a UCL final and close your eyes and trust them, and they WILL perform. Players like Dembele, Busquets, Garcia who plays extraordinarily in some games and costs us matches in others are NOT BARÇA LEVEL PLAYERS!
[image]
You were making sense until you said this. “Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts"
Rabdnprsuy
2
Ogun kill u na u make people dey abuse us i wish i dey beside u i swear u 4 chop beating [
Lol
Sosst
3
If barca need any type of fixing i think it starts with replacing xavi👀💡
champions_Madrid
1
Over hype coach with overrated team
Messisuuuui
0
I posted it before and I'll posted it again . ❗Harsh facts Barça fans and Xavi must accept : . - Busquets is not a Barça level player anymore. - Dembele is not a Champions League level player. - Eric Garcia isn't world class, just a good 3rd CB. - Gavi can't play against low block teams. - Frenkie de Jong is the best midfielder of our team. - Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts. Busquets may produce some good moments here and there throughout the season but to win a UCL with him as your CDM is impossible. Dembele is too inconsistent and immature to play for Barça in the biggest games. Eric Garcia might be a great ball player but when it comes to defending on the counter, he's sloppy and will always be a liability in the defense. . I understand Barça fans' love for Gavi and I love him too, but he should only start against high pressing teams, as he's proven to play sh*t against low block. Frenkie is too good to rot in the bench, no matter CDM or CM, he must start, every game! Raphinha is a better project to invest on than Dembele and is the type of player that you can rely on in big UCL matches and might play an average game once in a while but will never cost you goals and/or matches (like Dembele). . I don't know what y'all think Barça level is, but trust me, it's very damn high. To play for Barça and be a starter, you need to perform atleast decently in EVERY GAME. Only a few players like Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie, Raphinha, Araujo, Kounde, Balde and Stegen are Barça level at the moment. You can put them in a UCL final and close your eyes and trust them, and they WILL perform. Players like Dembele, Busquets, Garcia who plays extraordinarily in some games and costs us matches in others are NOT BARÇA LEVEL PLAYERS!
[image]
realy agree that De Jong is our best midfield man is just a fact
GAMEMAKERVA
1
just drop overhyped spanish internationals, its as simple as that lol
Beaalnsu
0
kesse,dejong,Alba need to start.drop busquet Alonso dembele for now atleast they tried but is not enough
MkonoJr
3
I don't really get the idea, he wants wingers to stay wide. Two midfilders to exploit the space between the lines and full backs to go up that leaves two defenders and one midfielder. Xavi needs to understand that there are zones to cover even when attacking. Yes good defense is offense but still you need to have people who can recycle the ball every now and then. I think it's best if full backs tucks in or one tucks in and one goes wide while one midfielder stays back with the DM and the other one joins the attack. So it's 2-3-5 when attacking in variations as shown below 👇 Mind you these are tactical formations during attack. Where players need to be and exploit spaces. The formation on paper remains 4-3-3 plus this will allow easy counter pressing.
Shade1760
0
the coach too stupid se na only Spanish players sabi play
Like Nah Watin dey vex me be that 😏
ManUnited-Red
2
Yeah, Ten Hag would never say this, so Ten Hag >>>> Xavi 💀💀💀
TryNuell
0
only to type all this and make no dense
sense
TryNuell
0
I posted it before and I'll posted it again . ❗Harsh facts Barça fans and Xavi must accept : . - Busquets is not a Barça level player anymore. - Dembele is not a Champions League level player. - Eric Garcia isn't world class, just a good 3rd CB. - Gavi can't play against low block teams. - Frenkie de Jong is the best midfielder of our team. - Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts. Busquets may produce some good moments here and there throughout the season but to win a UCL with him as your CDM is impossible. Dembele is too inconsistent and immature to play for Barça in the biggest games. Eric Garcia might be a great ball player but when it comes to defending on the counter, he's sloppy and will always be a liability in the defense. . I understand Barça fans' love for Gavi and I love him too, but he should only start against high pressing teams, as he's proven to play sh*t against low block. Frenkie is too good to rot in the bench, no matter CDM or CM, he must start, every game! Raphinha is a better project to invest on than Dembele and is the type of player that you can rely on in big UCL matches and might play an average game once in a while but will never cost you goals and/or matches (like Dembele). . I don't know what y'all think Barça level is, but trust me, it's very damn high. To play for Barça and be a starter, you need to perform atleast decently in EVERY GAME. Only a few players like Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie, Raphinha, Araujo, Kounde, Balde and Stegen are Barça level at the moment. You can put them in a UCL final and close your eyes and trust them, and they WILL perform. Players like Dembele, Busquets, Garcia who plays extraordinarily in some games and costs us matches in others are NOT BARÇA LEVEL PLAYERS!
[image]
only to type all this and make no dense
vaadkmnrst
1
and again pique have more experience than Garcia alba more at barca than Alonso some time's u can managed them kesse can replaced busquse
cohdorst
0
Ogun kill u na u make people dey abuse us i wish i dey beside u i swear u 4 chop beating [
lol 😂
FeranmiNy
0
Young comrade no vex 😂😂
the coach too stupid se na only Spanish players sabi play
FeranmiNy
0
relax, arsenal is enjoying arteta now, you time might be soon
this one no b coach na
vaadkmnrst
1
xavi lack experience how can he use dembele and rafinha in 5 games and nothing changed while feran and fati also play for the right sight the combination of the lefters is not working as when demble feran and auba playing
PrynzDark
1
........and Xavi think this is the way so he fix it He absolutely lacks experience and he does accept defeats because he don't want to improve Everyday.....This is the way...this is the way and Barca is heading towards Europa
Ibranzy
1
Sergio Busquets has captain shoes size he is putting on by mistake. ( Messi size). Real Madrid deal with Pique and Busquets of failing Messi worked. They didn't know that Messi is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi. Feeling the music of their making is sometimes good.
Subhomadridista
1
by bringing more Spanish players and play beautiful football
vasemoruz
0
I posted it before and I'll posted it again . ❗Harsh facts Barça fans and Xavi must accept : . - Busquets is not a Barça level player anymore. - Dembele is not a Champions League level player. - Eric Garcia isn't world class, just a good 3rd CB. - Gavi can't play against low block teams. - Frenkie de Jong is the best midfielder of our team. - Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts. Busquets may produce some good moments here and there throughout the season but to win a UCL with him as your CDM is impossible. Dembele is too inconsistent and immature to play for Barça in the biggest games. Eric Garcia might be a great ball player but when it comes to defending on the counter, he's sloppy and will always be a liability in the defense. . I understand Barça fans' love for Gavi and I love him too, but he should only start against high pressing teams, as he's proven to play sh*t against low block. Frenkie is too good to rot in the bench, no matter CDM or CM, he must start, every game! Raphinha is a better project to invest on than Dembele and is the type of player that you can rely on in big UCL matches and might play an average game once in a while but will never cost you goals and/or matches (like Dembele). . I don't know what y'all think Barça level is, but trust me, it's very damn high. To play for Barça and be a starter, you need to perform atleast decently in EVERY GAME. Only a few players like Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie, Raphinha, Araujo, Kounde, Balde and Stegen are Barça level at the moment. You can put them in a UCL final and close your eyes and trust them, and they WILL perform. Players like Dembele, Busquets, Garcia who plays extraordinarily in some games and costs us matches in others are NOT BARÇA LEVEL PLAYERS!
[image]
I think you don't know what your are saying, Raphinha better than dembele you don't watch football
cikaklpruz
0
By tactical foul,,, I think Xavi was referring to what Sergio should have done to prevent Toni Kroos' assist for the first goal. 😂😂
Julads
0
I posted it before and I'll posted it again . ❗Harsh facts Barça fans and Xavi must accept : . - Busquets is not a Barça level player anymore. - Dembele is not a Champions League level player. - Eric Garcia isn't world class, just a good 3rd CB. - Gavi can't play against low block teams. - Frenkie de Jong is the best midfielder of our team. - Raphinha is better than Dembele, he must start. . Agree or not these are just straight up facts. Busquets may produce some good moments here and there throughout the season but to win a UCL with him as your CDM is impossible. Dembele is too inconsistent and immature to play for Barça in the biggest games. Eric Garcia might be a great ball player but when it comes to defending on the counter, he's sloppy and will always be a liability in the defense. . I understand Barça fans' love for Gavi and I love him too, but he should only start against high pressing teams, as he's proven to play sh*t against low block. Frenkie is too good to rot in the bench, no matter CDM or CM, he must start, every game! Raphinha is a better project to invest on than Dembele and is the type of player that you can rely on in big UCL matches and might play an average game once in a while but will never cost you goals and/or matches (like Dembele). . I don't know what y'all think Barça level is, but trust me, it's very damn high. To play for Barça and be a starter, you need to perform atleast decently in EVERY GAME. Only a few players like Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie, Raphinha, Araujo, Kounde, Balde and Stegen are Barça level at the moment. You can put them in a UCL final and close your eyes and trust them, and they WILL perform. Players like Dembele, Busquets, Garcia who plays extraordinarily in some games and costs us matches in others are NOT BARÇA LEVEL PLAYERS!
[image]
You didn't say anything about faran tores, ansu fati, Depay and many others
tizeimstuz
1
this xavi can't coach barca just sack him