How Xavi’s Barcelona will line up
Robin Bairner
- 8 Nov 2021 12:55 GMT
- 3 min read
Xavi has taken charge of Barcelona, having signed his contract with the club on Monday.
He takes command following the sacking of Ronald Koeman and the brief temporary oversight of Sergi Barjuan.
Xavi's job promises to be a difficult one, with the new coach expected to lift the club back into the Champions League spots in La Liga, as well as ensuring progress in the competition this season.
Barca are presently six points off the pace when it comes to finishing in the top four, and with Atletico Madrid underperforming at present, they will have to go some to finish in the Champions League spots.
Xavi has a lot of work to do - and quickly.
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What formation will Xavi use?
Of course, Xavi will bring with him some modern ideas.
For example, at Al Sadd, where he has spent the duration of his coaching career to date, he has typically implemented a 3-4-3 formation, which could be reprised at Camp Nou.
Traditionally, of course, Barcelona have played their best football over the last 15 years in a fluent 4-3-3.
This switch to three central defenders is in keeping with modern fashions.
But where Xavi will not compromise will be over his ideals over ball possession, which will be at the forefront of his thoughts. His record with Al Sadd shows that he does not preach possession for the simple sake of preventing his opponents from having the ball, with around 2.5 goals scored per game, his team have typically posed a very real threat on goal.
Who will be in Xavi’s Barca starting XI?
The midfield will be the most important area of Xavi’s Barcelona and could see four technically excellent players fielded in a box.
Gavi and Pedri will be to the forefront of his thoughts, of course, while behind them Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets will be more destructive.
In the attack, meanwhile, Memphis Depay could be the player to suffer following the departure of Koeman. Sergino Dest and Ansu Fati can be expected to play in the wide areas, though obviously if Ousmane Dembele can regain his top level there is scope for change.
The defence, meanwhile, would likely be anchored by Gerard Pique, at least until the end of the season, when the veteran’s physical state could be reassessed. Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza will fight over the other two spots, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
Xavi is expected to take charge of Barcelona in November, though potentially not until after the international break, with Sergi Barjuan in interim charge until then.
