How Xavi changed Barcelona’s identity

Data from fbref.com/en/ and theanalyst.com/eu/
Follow me on Twitter for FC Barcelona tactical discussion - thepurist_?s=21&t...
In this video I answer these (simple?) questions:
- What is Barcelona’s style of play under Xavi?
- Does the team have a clear identity?
- How will it change in the future?
A whole lot of research went into this one, so if you enjoy, consider leaving a like! It’s much appreciated :)
Sections:
0:00 Tactical stalemate
0:51 Xavi’s philosophy
1:18 Structure and space
3:07 Movement
4:41 Against different systems
6:11 Exploit space quickly
9:54 All about the players
13:24 The next level
14:34 Next time on…

[@charlief7785]

People should realize that Xavi's task is far more monumental than Pep when he coached Barca. Pep inherited Rijkaard team that had two seasons on a lower level, but still managed to reach CL semis against Man U and lost by a single goal, that team had Xavi at 28 or so, Iniesta at 24, and of course the future GOAT at 20 about to hit his prime. I'm not trying to discredit Pep, he did turn those players from great to absolutely phenomenal, but he did catch Barcelona at a far better moment. Xavi inherited a club in ashes more like Rijkaard in his first season, but without a Ronaldinho to add that special quality for big games. No Messi, ageing Busquets and Pique, and absolutely no structure left by the incompetent Bartomeu. He is basically rebuilding from scratch, and this is just his first full season. Even Pep struggled to get both Bayern and City off the ground with his style on his first attempt, and Pep Bayern were treble winners, and City had far more established players. So hopefully people don't judge Xavi by unfair and out of context standards, but I won't hold my breath.

[@lexkanyima2195]

But Xavi will rebuild

[@miquelmolera8325]

true words 👏🏻

[@CristianmirabalWuno]

Pep got a team that went from losing the league by 18 points to Madrid, to then destroy and toy with Madrid in their own field. Rijkaard had a team that was good but that was going down for the lack of professionalism, he kicked the big names out and called a guy called Busquets from third division to bench Toure, and moved Xavi and Iniesta from CAM and wings to CM, the rest is history. But yeah, Xavi can't make signings like Pep couldve done in the past if he wanted a certain player on his team. Xavi also got a team with a poor mentality and 0 football knowledge on possesion and the type of football Xavi plays

[@charlief7785]

@@CristianmirabalWuno All true. Again, Pep influence was phenomenal and he is still the GOAT manager, especially having the ridiculous balls of as 1st time manager kicking out the star of that team(Ronaldinho) and all the heavy weights, signing Dani Alves and of course, Busquets discovery is 100% on him. The entire midfield trident Busquets-Xavi-Iniesta is 100% his, as Rijkaard saw the latter two as either one or the other. But it's a different beast picking up a team that was slacking for two years but the club was still financially viable to a team that's been in ashes for at least 2017(last season with Luis Enrique) and completely lost their roots. Barcelona before Xavi was an absolute trainwreck of a club, with Guardiola the team was poor, but the club was still solid financially and had a couple of young talents that were readily awaiting their opportunity. TLDR Pep had to rebuild a team, Xavi has to rebuild a club.

[@Latimish]

​@@CristianmirabalWuno yeah but if you were around then you'd know that complacency was the biggest issue with that team. Dinho was partying all the time, Deco didn't seem motivated and Messi kept getting injured. The talent was never in doubt when Pep took over, he even had the luxury of selling off Ronaldinho and Deco.

[@sc522]

I think Barca neads squad depth to become really competitive. It´s alarming that when 3 players are missing (Pedri, Dembele and De Jong) you stop being a dominant team and start struggling and losing games. Great video, thank you!

[@thepurist_]

City have really changed the game when it comes to squad depth. I think pre-City it would be unthinkable to maintain the same level after losing your three best players.

[@williamsodonon7081]

@@thepurist_True. Guardiola has created a system with replaceable parts

[@rialpleya]

@@williamsodonon7081 that's easier when you have all the money in the world and less strict financial fair-play rules

[@agssilv5919]

@@rialpleya this like not all leagues will look the other way will u piss all over financial fairplay and past merits with the objective of getting bigger

[@williamsodonon7081]

@@rialpleya true

[@austinedeclan10]

This season's Barcelona kit was gorgeous. A fitting armour for the conquers of La Liga. This will go down as an icon football shirt.

[@shottskies]

I thought it was their ugliest jersey in probably 30 years.

[@Mour1ada]

@shottskies how it's soo nice, dark blue kit with the famous blue red strips

[@knmk777]

i hate the shoulder

[@nirki]

​@@shottskiesHow it's very nice. Last year is the ugliest

[@umarmars47]

Thw conquers of Conference League ❤❤

[@akshatkhatoria2699]

best football page on youtube

[@ufcchampion3686]

Agreed

[@zooom2024]

No doubt

[@thepurist_]

You’re too kind :)

[@ibotmania4284]

Factos👀👍

[@ufcchampion3686]

@@thepurist_ You're too good 💯

[@nakdickson]

I've been thinking Xavi being direct is influenced by the fact that he hasn't gotten the team/players where he wanted yet. So he's compromising to win few titles to take away little bit of pressure. More possession might be his long term goal but unless get get specific kind players and some of the players needs to develop and understand the basics first.

[@josephkamanu7329]

now you understand his obsession on bringing messi back

[@nakdickson]

@@josephkamanu7329 I do, both in the sporting and financial department.

[@thepurist_]

I think this is a very reasonable take

[@iykebrobbey4937]

Nice take bro I was just realising that they ply more direct with crosses and all it's unlike the Barcelona I know

[@sugarkookiewithsometae4245]

​@@iykebrobbey4937 Makes sense. With Dembele as a winger and Lewandowski as a forward crosses make sense. God knows that Messi had no use of crosses.

[@sebastiangonzalez424]

Lets not forget that this is the first year of xavi with a team that has not experiencie. The best part its yet to come!!

[@nathpeeters3458]

2th*

[@vishaldeka5298]

Xavi has understood that tiki-taka is dead. You cannot play tiki-taka without Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets-Messi. Being an inexperienced manager with a young squad, he has done a fantastic job. With time, the tactics will be more polished and we'll see significant improvement. Don't forget that Zidane, Pep, Lucho all inherited well established squads with world class players.

[@asm7406]

Tikitaka is one of the styles that came out of Cruyffism. Guardiola, Teg Han, Luis Enrique, Xavi and Arteta have the same base but their own styles

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@asm7406but he need to adjust

[@wingedhussar1453]

Tika taka is outdated like total control netherlands.the game is wayyy faster now .Tika taka slow buildup would get countered and would get destroyed 5-0 each game these days

[@oyesinterlude]

@@wingedhussar1453 no it is not lmao, you just need technicians to be able to play it. the play styles currently have been used way before this current game

[@wingedhussar1453]

@@oyesinterlude if thts the case then why did one of the technicians himself xavi change his team

[@messicomps344]

Our xGA worries me. A lot of those 1-0 wins we've scraped this season will probably turn into 1-1s if we don't sort out what makes us concede so many chances. So far Ter Stegen is covering up our inadequacies but as we saw when Ernesto Valverde overperformed his xG and xGA, it doesn't work on the biggest stage. Need better depth, but sadly our finances won't allow

[@thepurist_]

It’s a big over-performance, but Barca’s xGA is still the best in Europe (25.4). So the system is working regardless of Ter Stegen’s immense season.

[@allenmathew2550]

​@@thepurist_ ​@The Purist Football You completely don't take into account gamestates. When we concede, we begin to play worse (this is not the case for every team, but it is for this Xavi-built team), and the opposition, better. Especially if it's multiple goals, then we're 95% dead.

[@ddkay6478]

@@allenmathew2550 Y'all talking like Xavi's Barça is lucky to be great defensively in Laliga.... 33 games of luck lol. => 11 GA in 33 games => 26 clean sheet. RECORD in Laliga history => and prior to that, Xavi's Barça had beaten Zidane's Madrid record for longest unbeaten away streak in Laliga Off the ball situations is really what Xavi been working with this Barça.

[@allenmathew2550]

@@ddkay6478 Do you know what Xg is

[@Sonicboom726]

@@ddkay6478 the only reason barca had great defensive record in league because they don't face good attackers regularly in league. Laliga is now crap their is a reason that barca defence gets exposed in UCl let's don't Even talk about UCL they even failed in uel as well barca defence is so overrated the only good team they face in laliga is real Madrid others are just crap

[@Luis33371]

When this Barca get a good physical condition and experience enough to compete against the big clubs un Europe and being mentally strong when difficult times come, this Barca will be able to win the Champions

[@lexkanyima2195]

They have to train with that intensity

[@nafiislam7048]

Johan cruyff said ""Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring." Sometimes people have this idea of Barcelona's play as being 2000 side passes and 80 percent possession, but in real football a good coach finds balance of style and effectiveness. That's why Pep is still at the top, and Xavi has remade Barca

[@BerSeben0502]

Great video. I think the next season will provide some more answers about the quality of Xavi's work. He clearly did a great job and reestablished Barça as a national force in Spain, but at the cost of mediocre performances in Europe and a painful loss to Real at Copa del Rey. My bet is that Barça will contend for another La Liga title if everything goes to plan, specially in the financial and squad building part, but the european performance will be more important than it was this season.

[@thepurist_]

I agree. Although the ‘everything going to plan’ part is far from guaranteed!

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@thepurist_but how long took it is gonna be ready ?

[@nirki]

I expect the UCL to have terrible refereeing again. What happend this year will probably happen again

[@lamaramv1147]

@@lexkanyima2195 That will Soley lie on this summer's transfer saga, if Barça could get a majority of the players they are seeking for then we would see a fast revolution

[@hungotuan4431]

Faster means less risk and less reliant on Pedri. KInda an inevitable change

[@MR_IG]

Since it has now been known that busquets will leave barca, I would love to see you make a video on: 1. why he was very integral to this club's success for the past 15 years. 2. The repercussions of his leaving to Xavi's plans. And 3. How he's gonna be replaced.

[@williamsodonon7081]

People throw words like inexperience & physique around about Xavi and his squad, but tell that to Bernardo Silva against Bayern. A talent & and a good plan trumps that and clearly Xavi is on the right track with his current squad.

[@theredcomet4301]

the play style may change, but the principles remain

[@thepurist_]

Well said

[@mahmoudahmed4609]

The reason i want messi back is not only sentimental or what he is capable of individually but how much this man understands football and tempo and how to control it

[@edsonmawalla4203]

Barcelona depend on pressing and speed and that's something messi can't do

[@mahmoudahmed4609]

@@edsonmawalla4203 argentina depend on pressing and speed

[@mahmoudahmed4609]

@@edsonmawalla4203 plus most of the barca players aren't capable of making proper quick decisons

[@edsonmawalla4203]

@@mahmoudahmed4609 xavi uses a man to man pressing system which is why Barcelona are Intense but the problem is that it is very tiring and they can't keep it up, it's the same one that Manchester city used against real Madrid. The issue is that in such a system everyone needs to press so that the intensity remains, argentina use a zonal pressing system which is not as intense. So this means that xavi must abandon his man to man pressing system for messi to fit in

[@edsonmawalla4203]

@@mahmoudahmed4609 that's not true, this was their first season with this system and that takes time but you can see that they have gotten better. Next season if they can get bernado silva and a good cdm then the team will grow, bringing in messi will bring in money but he will contribute nothing on the field

[@jordan_0914]

Xavi's Barca is like the complete opposite of Valverde's Barca (last to win La Liga). Valverde was all about Ball retention, long spells of possession, even sacrificing Counters for possession. I love Xavi's higher intensity compared to Valverde's super slow football with minimal movement.

[@kofiantwi768]

Not true Valverde was more direct and pragmatic

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@kofiantwi768that's true

[@jordan_0914]

@@kofiantwi768 in most big games and his 2nd season yes. But 17-18 Barca had no wingers, had to adapt with Paulinho/Sergi playing as false wingers 🙃

[@kofiantwi768]

@@jordan_0914 in my opinion valverde didn't fail because of his tactics but the teams lack of character and even messi noticed that after the bayern game which setien coached.

[@jordan_0914]

@kofiantwi768 I partially agree. Valverde's team was very mediocre at times. The team did/does lack character. We've had multiple coaches and still have a weak mentality in the biggest moments.

[@onjadar]

This video is so good. It answers most of my questions about this Barca team this season. I guess you had the same questions beforehand to compile your research and create such an awesome video.

[@brandonflexer1102]

I believe Xavi's Barça is a bit more direct than what he would consider 'ideal' because of the type of players he inherited/got. The likes of Ferran Torres, Raphinha are players that are more suited for transitional moments rather than a more controlled approach. On top of that, they are good players but probably not ELITE. And at that level, it makes a huge difference.

[@k.p.7966]

This is such a good analysis, really enjoyed watching it. I followed and hope your channel blows up soon. Keep up the good work!

[@yespaul1807]

Just came across this channel today and it is pretty good. Great analysis.

[@kelzreallife8293]

I think Xavi is blending the philosophy he was coached with as a player with the efficiency/directness he saw with the Madrid teams he faced back in the days (Long balls And quick space exploitation )

[@noufal4035]

As always great content, keep coming with quality contents

[@arnoldnzeyimana3214]

I really do enjoy watching these deep analysis videos from the purist. Keep it up, please 🙏🏾

[@nobodiniotv4883]

you are one of the best football pages i've seen on youtube... keep going

[@muhammadfoad7945]

amazing analysis man keep it up, especially on barca games , im sharing your channel on facebook and Twitter 👍 ❤

[@miikamiinala4833]

Crazy good and mature analysis. You have a new subscriber, easily.

[@tridibroy007]

man i just love your videos 🔥🔥 the only thing is that make more videos on a daily basis, would love that and one more thing make a comparison video between amrabat and zubimendi (i prefer amrabat tho)

[@williamsodonon7081]

Amazing videos. Lots of fans don’t see/understand tactics(or do so slowly) but your videos help with that.

[@stevenecheverria5032]

This channel has the best tactical break downs with out even trying

[@isaacong77]

The questions you ask are rlly instructive for aspiring analysts watching this 👍😊

[@quinten3628]

That xga vs ga stat is craazy. All season i’ve been wondering what the actual xga is

[@jidemafolabomi9278]

I had to come back to comment on this video while watching today's game against Espanyol. So far it's been an example of what is possible when the system works.

[@rakijesina]

Great video bro! Simply GREAT!

[@g.nikhilsai6845]

Bro your voice is soo soothing, i couldn't finish the video in 2 attempts.

[@Porridge_Master]

Your insight is top quality sir. Thanks

[@eyalcohen2372]

Thank you for being very professional in your attitude. In all of your videos. Truly a very good football KZbin channel 👏

[@jayrajpareek4716]

Imagine Messi in this system... He is super smart can do better then anyone to drag defenders and use space.

[@victormugishar.5812]

Well said, Sir! I really wish you could upload more on a weekly basis but then I am still worried about this coming season. We are talking about Busquets leaving and Gundogan coming in, probably Messi as well. A lot of these principles will change. But regardless of all these changes, how close can this team with this sporting project challenges in the semi-final of the UCL?

[@HIM-lk6of]

Great video mate. Really excited for this unit and looking forward to this summer transfer window as it may be crucial relative to Xavi's core ideas and our ability to bring those to life. Besides being as vertical as we have (I was pleasantly surprised with how direct Xavi has been); I hope we relax on pressing as high as often as that almost always results in the Low Block from most modest and lesser teams. My main idea as a solution to that, play in a mid-block and not force teams into that deep, compact ultra defensive shape in the first place. Secondly would be improvement in personnel which should lead to greater synergy, automations and instances of improvisation within Xavi's framework.

[@fotrj]

Remove your pfp. It is disrespectful

[@elijaharmstrong6641]

Amazing video as always! Your football mind is unbelievable ♥️

[@thepurist_]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@KurdishYoutubeKSAS]

Thanks for all the things you do

[@sulemanamohammed9456]

Work an incredible analysis. Great

[@totalfootball7879]

Wow, at this point no one matches your analysis💯 keep it up.

[@oboiraelisha7907]

I've been waiting for you bro

[@ramneitor]

Amazing analysis Buddy.

[@DS-uj3bt]

Dude your explanation is perfection......your breakdown even helps in playing flfa

[@xolo.creative]

Another great watch 🎉

[@farhaanhussain9035]

Great analysis !

[@snigdhamishra8057]

Been waiting so longgggg!

[@raymondthomas382]

Really solid analysis. Really good video.

[@TheFazunkl]

extremely interesting, thank you!

[@flyingraijinnxb]

Never change the way you present the content. It is the best.❤

[@eseisobi9768]

If it ain't broke, dont fix it

[@gabrieldrg7814]

Love your channel bro.

[@wisnuops]

Wondering how Xavi tactics compared to Klopp's Liverpool. I am seeing so many similarities. High possession, but more direct.

[@harmony-judahinyang5353]

Beautiful Analysis 🤌🏾✨

[@amu7379]

Pedri is absolutely essential for providing some control in this aggressive system right now. Which is why I think they need a controller Busquets replacement too rather than say an Amrabat.

[@jakedelhinski3849]

Pedri is the new Andres Iniesta.

[@agbaivictor6884]

Good thing you shared this on twitter

[@Christianmolstre]

nice video, really enjoyed it👌👌👌

[@tesla5297]

Wow!! Beautiful analysis. I actually enjoy this organic Barca which gives freedom to players and try to play vertical, rather than the more robotic Man City of Pep(not criticising tho). But I think if we get the right profiles we'll win big things. The criticism I have of Xavi is, their passes in the final 3rd are unnecessarily 'big' passes /long passes. The final delivery needs to be slick and short so that it becomes undefendable. City and Arsenal play short in the final 3rd and get shots from nearer the opp goal, hence score more. We try to hit long. Also, due to this , Barca has a problem retaining possession. Every 5 minutes you see them pressing and tracking back, coz they simply don't hold on to the ball enough. We need to adjust to situations, when to hit long and when to play a million passes.

[@eshaangosalia]

Well put video🙏🏻❤️

[@mathewhaukongo4303]

The Purist foootball uploads a video: Me: I prayed for days like these.

[@youbildn9940]

ong

[@justjoel7861]

Please make a video on Liverpools new tactics under klopp.What it could lead to and its weaknesses. Great video by the way.

[@chibombachibomba1158]

Your football IQ is beyond amazing. Continue with the same energy and spirit

[@raghavpandey3174]

forca barca❤💙 love the content bro u deserve more subs :D

[@giancarlosrivera1594]

Great video. I think that this summer will be a big summer for Xavi. Losing players like Pedri, De Jong and Dembele hurt us, especially in Europe and domestic titles. Depth is needed, and I think if Xavi can secure his players, we'll compete in Europe like Barca is known for.

[@m0skit0]

You said Athletic and not Bilbao, you deserve my like, sir

[@abdojabboulieh6605]

You’re a Legend❤

[@michaela2776]

U should do a video of a prediction signings and how u expect the team to play and where will they finish in the ucl. E.g. if they sign Gundogan, Amarat, Roque… how will the team improve.

[@danielkratky8521]

happy to see another Barca video 😍

[@Mm-if3xk]

Amazing vid!

[@emmanuelgoodnews9746]

Barca have been really great defensively this season,so i think the problem is with the attack,especially the LW with the inconsistencies of Ansu & ferran torres they need to add an attacker to that flank

[@MarCo-pt2sr]

Gundogan Messi and Martinez will make us solid in all positions especially amrabaat

[@akhdanwirataram4911]

Can you cover other clubs that are doing excellent right now than Barcelona? I'm interested to see your take on them because i think that would help a lot of people understand their team more

[@JoshBueno8]

It’s so Xavi to exploit space, remember how he used to play as a player, always deep passes and always creating space! Great vid!

[@lems_cast3737]

Mate this Page deserves Billion views 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SolaceonAce]

Great Analysis. I have a question though. As mentioned in the vid, the execution and 'when?' factor solely depends on the players, but what more does the team need to be able to compete in Europe. "Weaker" teams such as Benfica,Leverkussen and even Roma has played well and appealing football in Europe. How can Barça compete at that same level or maybe a higher level?

[@kuantize]

Best football channel on KZbin

[@MrCPMunk]

Tremendous video!

[@Darduel]

people really don`t realize how once the kick-off whistle goes off, it`s like 70-80% on the players to win the game and preform, even if you are the best coach in the world there is very little you can do to affect the result and Barca just needs more quality/mature players, we are literally on zero budget working through market chances so I don`t expect us to compete in Europe next year as well

[@oskarnogalski8178]

I think all this is to say is that this team is relatively young in their identity of tearing apart space. I think that, funny enough, the fact that Lewandowski underperformed while also being the league’s top goal scorer speaks to his brilliance as a striker in a new league on a young and inexperienced team, but also to just HOW inexperienced this team is as a unit. Going through so much bull in the last few years has only afforded Barca to function on individual greatness sometimes making something happen. But now, with an experienced forward, they were able to practice putting together better chances, and beginning to mould their identity of murdering space. As it stands, the future is bright as long as Lewandowski, De Jong, and (arguably most importantly) Pedri stay healthy. Lewandowski for his near guaranteed consistency, De Jong for his brilliance in playmaking and creative thinking, and Pedri for decision making up top. Others like Dembele, Kounde, Balde, and Gavi are also critical, but I think those three will be key in up keeping Barca as they try to fit a replacement for Sergio, while strengthening the future of Barca.

[@faraazfarooqi5270]

your voice so soothing mate

[@Pr0digalKnight]

Good analysis bud

[@FelaBankOlemoh]

Good stuff 👏

[@aukalender]

would love to see you compare early ajax, cruyff teams, barca pep, germany pep, england pep, luis enrique, arteta, xavi, van gaal etc

[@vinayak4x]

great video

[@gupmuk]

Great and very weighted analysis Visca Braça

[@Christian_Bagger]

Stuff like this takes time. Football doesn’t happen in an instant, even though in these times we get and expect everything in an instant… stuff like this takes time.

[@user-ye9sg2hy2o]

Next season will be different considering Xavi now has a definite system in 3223, at the start of this season Barça didn't have a specific style and were often relying on individual quality in a traditional 433 with players often playing in roles they were not familiar with.

[@kgweleyadinao]

I seriously need you to do a break down of Di Zerbi Brighton team please 🤲🏾🕯

[@davedave6514]

Turned them from a CL Team into an UEL Team. Fire bro

[@HasanMahmud-ix8yk]

14:23 I see what you did there 👀👀

[@k-mastersaeyong2759]

tiki taka is basically all about the pass & movements, barca philosophy is definitely still there

[@bahaadeenal-ees1488]

Very well. Who would you sign for Barca in right back the way it is now, and who in front aside from Vitor Rorque and Ez abde come back, assuming we get rid of all Fati, Farran, Raphinha, am contemplating Son Heing-min.

[@babyjesus9011]

Love your channel, a suggestion tho, make a 5 -10 seconds intro before talking. It makes the listening experience much better.

[@sudiptomajumdar4210]

Spot on !

[@rtxmax8223]

The match of the season was Utd vs Barca. Both played in Europa but the spectacle was none the less of a CL match.

[@rojassalaspedro6851]

Whit the young core that we have the team will just improve their level, those good decisions come whit experience.

[@T-19-]

As a Barca fan, I couldn’t be happier with Xavi since he came. It’s an onwards & upwards journey now.

[@aaa6072]

It's sort of a return to how Cruyff's Barca played against teams that didn't allow them to play through the middle. Pep and Koeman would switch play and try to find Stoichkov or Beguiristain, who would cut inside to shoot or layoff for Romario. The squad doesnt have an experienced player in the midfield that gives them the composure and dynamism required to dictate a game in and out of possession. Pedri and Gavin are still too young and cannot be relied upon to play 50+ games a season at their best level. With Busquets leaving I kind of get why Xavi wanted Zubimendi, but they'll need a lot more than a DM. With all the financial restrictions this won't be a rebuild Xavi can finish in one summer. My worry is more with the hierarchy than Xavi. They're swayed too much by sentiment.

[@wingedhussar1453]

Buy zielinski for midfield