Xavi’s Barcelona Crushed Getafe: Analysis & Reaction [2024]

Xavi: The Class Manager

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Great game by Barcelona, well managed by Xavi, and he was super active on the sidelines. Frenkie de Jong had a couple of scary touches where he was dispossessed. I’m not sure about this long ball game, but it caught Getafe off guard, and it’s a different approach, so I’m not opposed to it. It reminded me a bit of the Luis Enrique era.

I think the comment Xavi made about the next coach having to have Barca’s DNA reminded him of his own DNA.

I really liked the small adjustment to have Pau Cubarsí in the middle of the back three and Ronald Araújo on the left. Ronald is quicker to cover Cancelo’s backside, and Cubarsí can be more effective in passing from a central position. Good stuff by Xavi.

5 Points to Ponder from the Game

1. Tactics matter. Long balls and fast counters beat a high line. Barcelona had more long balls than all EPL matches this weekend combined. Gracias, Xavi, for a solid tactical approach. Xavi deserves credit for his tactics today!

2. FDJ. FDJ. FDJ. Frenkie de Jong. He was everywhere, doing everything. He should’ve gotten 1G and 1A, but Roque couldn’t finish.

3. Speaking of a guy who had 1G and 1A, Raphinha put in the work. Playing to his strengths, he could’ve had even more goals and assists in this match.

4. Araujo gave Greenwood the Vini special. And Cubarsi was flexible enough to rotate, put in a good shift, and didn’t make a mistake.

5. Andreas Christensen isn’t a DM, but he made the best of his situation. What an assist!

A confidence boosting game at home for one of our bogey teams in recent times.

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I thought Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, and Pau Cubarsi had magnificent games.

Again, I would like to reiterate that without Christensen in the team to act as that needed Pivot beside Frenkie. This allows the difference makers to have a much better free will ahead of the ball to affect the differences in areas that they work most efficiently in.

Who should be the MOTM for Barcelona?

Man of the Match (MOTM) for me will go to the players who play beyond their abilities. I feel Raphinha was Raphinha—that boy good, that boy bad. Frenkie de Jong was phenomenal; one thing Xavi has improved on is looking up once he breaks the line for the pass instead of running on into a cul de sac.

MOTM is between Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Andreas Christensen.

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Lewandowski did not score, but in this game, his hold up play was excellent. He also made the right pass more often than not. Kounde was consistent again. Getafe moved Greenwood to the RW, supposedly to take advantage of Kounde. It did not work. They gave up and subbed him out. This comes after his Napoli show.

Christensen was solid at holding the ball and being an outlet. He also had some good passes. Don’t forget Christensen’s assist. That was world class.

Cubarsi: The New Barcelona Wonderkid

I’m really impressed with Cubarsi’s passing, vision, and calmness on the ball. The guy is only 17 but plays like he’s been doing this for ages.

I’ll go Cubarsi today. He didn’t make a single mistake. He had a few good tackles. Great passing. A solid performance from the 17 year old. Raphinha will be a close second for me, though.

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Cubarsi literally won all his duels tonight. 6/6, too, against one of the hottest strikers in La Liga right now.

His passing in the build up was very instrumental in breaking down Getafe’s press, and I remember the 2nd and 4th goals started at his feet.

It was a good performance—one that was certainly overdue. However, Real Madrid remains a clear favourites for La Liga, as you say. As for the UCL, there are far tougher teams than Getafe waiting for Barcelona, should they get past Napoli. The result today is encouraging as far as it goes, but let’s not get too carried away.

Let us hope this performance is the beginning of a turnaround in our season. The league is probably out of reach, but draw permitting, we can go deep in the CL if we continue like this.

Vamos Barca!