The coach is again at the center of criticism and after the break the culés face a series of crucial matches.
After Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Alavés last Sunday, Xavi immediately had to come out to defend himself. His team, not for the first time in recent weeks, relied on individual excellence to make up for another poor collective performance. This time it was Robert Lewandowski who saved the day, but the striker’s double in the second half did nothing to disguise the fact that Barça had played poorly again. Really bad.
This has now become an annual tradition for Xavi. Just over a year after starting his career at Barça, the coach was faced with similar questions. At the time, the Blaugrana were out of the Champions League and had suffered a demoralizing defeat in the Clásico, which cast some doubt. Could this club legend, with no experience on top benches, manage Barcelona?
Of course, Xavi survived, but only after publicly admitting that he would understand if Barça fired him. Eight months later they won a league title, putting the club back on the path to victory. Barça were good enough defensively to win the league, but lacked quality in attack. It was not Pep Guardiola’s football, but a team more akin to José Mourinho’s style, achieving results without dazzling.
A year later, and while the situations are somewhat similar, things have also changed. On the pitch, the same defensive unit that led the Blaugrana to the league title is noticeably worse. At the other extreme, the signings of big names, which were supposed to make Barça a major attacking force, have not had the desired effect. They are third in La Liga, but if rising Atlético Madrid can win the remaining match against Sevilla, the Blaugrana to fourth place.
The usually calm Xavi took the bait after Sunday’s victory and claimed his players were feeling the pressure from the press, a comment that only fanned the flames of skepticism. And so, just after his second anniversary in office, Xavi is back in the spotlight.
With a series of crucial games scheduled almost immediately after the international break, Xavi must find the answers quickly to ensure Barca’s season – and their future – is not wasted.
Source: Goal