For several weeks, FC Barcelona has regained its luster. And there are many reasons for this recent good form.
FC Barcelona fans are spoiled right now. The team coached by Xavi Hernandez seems to have found a particularly devastating cruising speed, with three wins in a row having scored four goals. Unheard of for months or more. But above all, there has been a lot of progress in the content offered by the team for weeks and this defeat against Real Madrid in the Supercopa semi-finals. A failure against the sworn enemy of course, but many observers had highlighted encouraging points in terms of offensive animation. These few hopes were subsequently confirmed.
Inevitably, the Catalan coach is the main architect of this Barcelona revival. If Ronald Koeman had managed to lay some foundations, launching many young people in particular, the Dutchman had failed to find an effective strategy when his team had the ball. Xavi quickly imposed his paw on him, and we can say it, he does it in a register very different from that which we expected. Apostle of the beautiful game and the famous tiki-taka, the former midfielder of La Roja nevertheless orders his troops to play very regularly in rapid transition, with many counter-attack situations often well exploited by the Barcelonans. Playing against seemed almost heresy on the Camp Nou side not so long ago!
Well-chosen recruits
We also no longer hesitate to play through the wings and finish on crosses, even if it means neglecting the axis a little and quickly skipping the midfield, where historically the engine room and the launching pad for the offensives of the team was in midfield. All this while dominating this positional game which is much more traditional and typical of the Catalan club, which Pedri and company continue to apply wonderfully. And this is the strength of this team, it is that it knows how to adapt and alternate the way it plays in order to destabilize the opponent. It should also be noted that Xavi was well helped by the winter recruits offered by the Laporta-Alemany duo. The immediate impact of Adama Traoré, for example, helps enormously in this vertical game, as the Spanish international hurts the defenses with his ball races. All while being on top of that very good and skilful in the last gesture.
And what about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who also brings depth, but above all, this finish that the Catalans lacked so much. A winter transfer window which also makes many people lie across the Pyrenees, since many of them were not convinced by the profiles of the winger on loan from the Wolves and the former Gunner, considered as little Barça-compatible . Curiously, it is the one who was predicted the easiest adaptation, Ferran Torres, who is having the most difficulty at the moment. If he brings a lot to the game without the ball in particular, he struggles to be effective in front of the cages and has already missed a good number of chances since his arrival. Note that Dani Alves also shows to be largely capable of playing despite his advanced age.
Remobilized players
An almost faultless on the transfer window therefore, with recruits whose profile was lacking and did a lot of good. But if there’s one player who’s got everyone in Barcelona drooling, it’s Pedri. After a somewhat complicated first part of the season due to repeated physical problems, the Canarian is well and truly back. And what a return! Hub of the Catalan offensive animation, the Spanish international begins in addition to that to allow himself high class gestures, not hesitating to erase his opponents with dribbles which remind us, inevitably, of a certain Andrés Iniesta. He may only be 19, but it’s hard to find a midfielder of such a level and such maturity today. The flag bearer of a brilliant Barcelona youth, with players like Araujo or Gavi also shining, awaiting the return of Ansu Fati…
It should also be noted that the executives, often singled out in the first part of the season, have raised the bar a little. This is the case of Jordi Alba, who has displayed a completely different face since the arrival of his former sidekick on the sidelines. Gerard Piqué also produced some high-flying performances. As for Sergio Busquets, we remain far from the best busi, but let’s say his drop in form is a little less blatant and disabling. Other players, a little in difficulty, also took advantage of the start of the Xavi era to revive themselves. We think of Ousmane Dembélé, given confidence by his coach, but also of Luuk de Jong, who turns out to be a fairly effective offensive joker. And beyond tactical or individual considerations, players and supporters have above all rediscovered what seemed forgotten and which remains the essence of football: enjoying playing or watching matches!
