Why Barcelona could struggle this season

[@vegan-rising]

this analysis aged like fine wine. Barca has no chemistry.

[@thalpha___]

Even more now😂

[@kadenchai-hong7364]

This is why Xavi wants profiles like Bernardo Lo celso and Guler as right interior signings and Joao Cancelo as a rb signing to help balance the right side

[@curtischarles5299]

Exactly, and many fans do not understand but yet they're all over the internet bashing xavi.

[@Sasquatch10]

@@curtischarles5299 We already have enough midfielders as is. Xavi should mould players to the style he wants but it's something we've yet to see.

[@curtischarles5299]

@@Sasquatch10 some players cannot be molded into what you want . If this was so then pep wont be buying kovacevic .he would be molding Calvin Phillip's. So this is why you sometimes have to buy players with the profile .and that talk about we have to much midfielders is nonsense . If we are going to be playing with 4 midfielders then how many do you meed for rotation? The answer would be 3 or even 4 . As to avoid injuries . Xavi wants to go back to the penetrative short quick passing as he played when iniesta, Fabregas, xavi ,busquets and messi as a false 9 ,were doing . This is why he had gundogan ,de jong ,pedro, gavi and romeu on the pitch .similar to what we did in the past . If we want to see us return to our style we have to understand that the coach need time and the right personnel . You do not know more than xavi ,I can bet that. The man knows what he wants, however it takes longer to get to that point because of not having money . Pep can get there faster as they have a lot of money so they can buy their way into what they want.

[@narutoo6215]

​@@curtischarles5299I am curious how would Lewandowski fit into all of this?

[@shuaibhere]

​@@curtischarles5299if you can't mold Pedri, Gundogan and Gavi. You shouldn't be coach of Barcelona. Go and Coach some other team.

[@bullsh_tsKE]

I am watching this video 5 months later and your prediction has come true ,good analysis..Barca is really struggling

[@vinuthomas4282]

Yes, after watching this video it's so true how this problem has persisted throughout this year.

[@tuqueras]

I think Cancelo will solve a lot of those problems, and hopefully we see more of Ansu and Abde on the left, especially against teams sitting deep. But we will see how Xavi develops from here, until now I think his progress has been great

[@narutoo6215]

I agree on the Cancelo bit, however, recently saw a video of this same channel explaining how to use Raphina, and in that video he explains, more or less, why I think Xavi is "sacrificing" our wings in those type of match ups.

[@tuqueras]

@@narutoo6215 there are definitely some areas where Xavi needs to improve, but I think he will, he still is an young coach and that will be he's second season with a full off season to work. If he doesn't improve in this season, maybe give one more? I don't really know. But I trust this board to make the correct call when deciding whether or not they should give him more time or if it's necessary to go in another direction

[@mhmd127]

What about felix

[@tuqueras]

@@mhmd127 I like him too, but my guess is that Cancelo will be more of a difference maker, especially considering this team's needs

[@tsukishima123]

@@tuqueras i am fan of barca and dont get this wrong. dude barca cannot afford to loose la liga and exit in the group stages of champions league again. the financial levers were pulled on belief that this team performs well in the champions league. If barca cant do that they will be doomed

[@pradnyanar6257]

Beautiful video. I was wondering the same. Xavi's first season was surprisingly exceptional.

[@Leosteel.]

That’s because he had the right players for the system he implemented, now he changed players and system

[@zarpspawn3508]

​@@Leosteel.Actually it is mostly because of individual brilliance from our backline and Busquets being a good balance for the team.

[@nakdickson]

​@@zarpspawn3508there always people like you who decredit people. Koeman had most of those players and could not do shit. Give credit when it's due. The players play with Xavi's instructions.

[@fotrj]

​@@Leosteel.Like what? The only change is Busquets, other than that it has only been upgrade for Barca. 1.) A proper right back in Cancelo 2.) A left footed center back in Inigo Martinez 3.) More creativeness in midfield by adding Gundogan 4.) Yamal and Fermin Lopez emerging as first team options. 5.) Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati both regaining form 6.) Vitor Roque set to join in January 7.) Abde breaking into first team Yeah Busquets is a loss but Oriol Romeu has been doing well. Jordi Alba rarely came on. Kessie never impressed. Don't say Dembele because he was not available for most of the season and lost his starting place when he returned towards the end.

[@AbdelhamidZekri91]

@@fotrj Oreol has been my biggest surprise yet. Yes Gundo, Yamal and Cancelo are massively good news. But man was I mulling that pivot position over.

[@vips171]

I was wondering why the quality of our football has dropped off so much from his first 6 months and you've explained it perfectly

[@Ceddy2418]

You were on the money with this, but their pressing and defense is worse this season

[@henryreturns1397]

Xavi line up and squad "on paper" sounds like a very good team and you can make "MULTIPLE" line ups with it. The main problems comes down on "if you want to control the midfield and be that team that is constantly on the other area with the possesion" or be this deadly aggresive team that can counter blitz attack and have the verticallity options like Bayern or as clinical as Real Madrid. Xavi will always choose to play the possesion game but without taking risks. While Guardiola usually goes for possesion but always risking and always commiting. Only when his team is winning is when Guardiola tell them not to commit.

[@westsonko5881]

Spot on

[@josea1707]

Xavi needs to adapt the system to be more counter attacking rather than stick to the Barca possession style. Our defense can handle it.

[@tlovehater]

To me so far Xavi and Luis Enrique are similar to Pep, but all they do is pass the ball around with no sense of what to do lol.

[@aryados1520]

Xavi is simply super overrated, he tries to copy Pep in everything, if it would come to him he would sign every single City player. He simply is not a good manager.

[@kothicamedarth2680]

Guardiola's positional & possessional play is uselessly copied by Barcelona & they always get caught off to sudden blitzkriegs or fast counter attacks. Only Guardiola is very good at this play but many in Barcelona don't understand this. Xavi should ask his players to physically more fit & powerful than relying on 2010 tactics.

[@arkaroy9827]

I think barca didn't have a long enough preseason to build that chemistry . there are new players straight into the team . And it needs time to adapt and leran something as complicated as positional play...

[@iancrane5705]

Players are constantly coming and going in modern football, Xavi knows this. If your system is so complicated and difficult to learn that only players that already know it can easily be integrated into the first team, it's not a good system

[@burnttoast5189]

​@@iancrane5705no it just means you have to go for a specific type of player, ideally am intelligent o e as it's why La Masia graduates tend to do well in clubs football is played with your brain not your feet

[@aristodiga82]

positional play itself is not a new system or exclusive to Barca. In fact many elite teams play with this system/principle, though of course each manager will have his own style or modifications. So regarding the system itself, it shouldn't be too complicated to learn. But I agree new players need to know their teammates enough to know each players characters, preference to move, strength and weaknesses, etc., so in this context, true that player needs some adaptation, but it shouldn't be too long. Let's see after another 2-3 months.

[@deoudersvan1883]

Bad excuse, look at Real Madrid also didn't have enough long time and look at them.

[@deoudersvan1883]

It is Barcelona's OWN fault

[@jimfelix1476]

It will definitely take time, given the financial barriers and lack of appropriate profiles, but I'm pretty sure Xavi is the right man to take this team forward.

[@alexx1910]

I’m a barca fan but financial issues are bs. Xavi has all the players he needs and if he can’t get barcelona at least out of the UCL group stages then he must go.

[@jimfelix1476]

@@alexx1910 financial issues, or rather strict ffp rules of La Liga, is a major hurdle. Not bs. We could have got players like Bernardo Silva or Arda Güler, Zubimendi, hell! even Neymar or Messi, etc. if we were financially stable. And right recruitment in turn could massively help Xavi to play the football he wants to.

[@mhmd127]

@@alexx1910fax if he takes us to europa league again he must be sacked

[@Mountainspirit7]

XAVI WAS AND STILL IS MY BY FAR FAVOURITE PLAYER OF ALL TIMES, ALONGSIDE DON ANDRES INIESTA AND MESSI AND REDONDO- FOUR OF THEM!!! BUT AS A COACH, XAVI IS HUGE, HUGE DISAPPOINTEMENT!!! THIS IS THE LAST SEASON OF XAVI AS A MANAGER OF BARCA, REMEMBER WHAT I SAID AND MARK MY WORDS!!! XAVI WILL FLOP IN CL FOR SURE AND IN LA LIGA THIS SEASON, FOR SURE!!!

[@blac-whit]

LOL

[@x_Viar]

Great video, usually people just point out the problem but can't come up with solutions. I think Xavi has to find himself and his coaching in this season, it's make or break time.

[@burnttoast5189]

Wdym make or break, he's doing an incredible job and Barça's squad is more of a project to develop rather than trying to instantly be the best because our team is very young and we don't have the money to buy more players

[@marcmatab]

He won the Spanish league 14 points ahead real Madrid, so if he la make or break I am sorry for the others

[@yourincognito1]

​@@burnttoast5189I think its make or break because the quality we have is good enough to be in the UCL quarterfinals (semifinal if lucky). But xavi isn't playing good enough football. We can't be loosing against man united and Inter. Neither should we be demolished by bayern at home. The problem is that we aren't playing good enough football.

[@ur3al_]

I think if we get Cancelo we’re fine it’s game week 2 we have time to improve tactics and chemistry.

[@allenarreola8411]

Champions starts later this year so that’s also a plus

[@meho1010]

Major problem is that they only have Pedri that is a threat to breakdown a defense on the dribble from the midfield and he does so infrequently. Without a threat from the midfield, defenses can sit back in a block and push the only remaining threat, the wingers, out wide and make them ineffective. You either need another attacking threat in the midfield or more inside outside runs from the wingers to destabilize their defensive form.

[@sidharthwarrier9001]

can you expand on the infrequently part ? I thought he was their primary and prolific creator

[@piedepie5097]

I think Pedri's not playing in a position where his attributes can be maximized. Look at his performance against Getafe, he was playing as a second striker, at the same level as Lewandowski. He should be the one moving the ball in the midfield, breaking defensive lines with his passes or ability to progress with a dribble. Because of the position he's playing, he can't be Barça's midfield threat. I think that's why he said he "does so infrequently"@@sidharthwarrier9001

[@ovotal]

@@sidharthwarrier9001he is somehow inconsistent

[@owanmah2933]

@@sidharthwarrier9001 Pedri always makes things happen when he gets on the ball but for some reason he never seems to get on the ball enough. And it's strange because it's not like Pedri ever avoids the ball, the ball just doesn't seem to come to him often enough.

[@diegogonzalezvazq]

Straight forward pedri and our other midfielders need to shoot more. I don’t think any of them have the tendency to ever let a shot go from outside the area. We also know that pedri can’t shoot well idk why he doesnt

[@NgolaNalane]

I'm watching this at the end of the 2024 season. My man, this aged like fine wine. Extremely good analysis

[@scriptedframes]

This saw what we are going through now.. miles beforeee 💀

[@Rubrasileiro]

Feels weird seing the best midfielder of his generation put next to the word "problem".

[@fathialjack2009]

He is not, de jong is the most overrated player in his generation

[@ifeellikedying4040]

@@fathialjack2009 who's better than frenkie?

[@jimcannibal4911]

@@fathialjack2009 That's how you know you don't watch barca games at all. Non sense comment.

[@armandomigueldumlao9207]

Bellingham probably better

[@vitomirabella29]

good players (even the very good ones like De Jong) can struggle too because it’s not just about them, it’s also about how they fit into the team

[@SaltyPeople]

Bro predicted it

[@abhroshomepias1999]

I was worried first time when I saw Barca's preseason schedule. It was more like playing UCL than preparing. We needed more low intensity game to prepare the team. The second worry was Dembele's departure just before the start of the season. But I think Xavi will grind result with his exceptional defensive solidity (if players remain fit) although the play will remain more or less static.

[@atroxozaur]

I think the problem also lies in Xavi himself. He doesn't come up with any B or C plans, and is constantly forcing players to adapt to his roles, instead of coming up with a tactic that would use them in their best side. For example using Fati as a "10" in middle, instead of wing where he seemed to have formed some link with Balde (which would make them easier to cooperate in triangle) when he's clrearly not that good of a passer. Ferran would be more natural in that position, but we haven't even seen him for more then 20min so far (even tho he was one of the best in preseason). Balde is constantly alone on wing with very poor support, meaning he HAS to play 1v1s or backpasses, because there's noone that could overlap/underlap him. Playing with 4 (5 if counting Lewy dropping into midfield) midfields against teams that stay on a low block, thus erasing any room for potential plays for those midfielders. Lewy's dropping also creates a blank space in already poor attack, meaning there's pretty much noone to even pass too or run into as Lamine/Raphinia often stay wide. Xavi for now stuggles with this squad as he's not good enough yet to change his way of play for the sake of team that he has and i think THAT will be a potential downfall to this season.

[@ch3tan]

Good analysis 🤝

[@2slick361]

I share the same sentiment 👏🏽💯

[@bishrab]

im really very curious on the emphasis for a rb at barca. sure past barcelona teams operated with both fullbacks that dominated the wings and allowed wingers to cut inside, but it's not like the asymmetrical set up now is all that bad either. raphinha, and formerly dembele, always found themselves tons of space on the flanks and chances were created with simple long diagonal balls. i dont really mind this asymmetry in the lineup, it gives the team a bit more dynamism. we might just need more luck with finishing, finding lewa more, and build on the jdp. more of a chemistry problem than a personnel as mentioned.

[@nirvana10111]

Best of Barca under Pep had Abidal in LB. It's not so much that asymmetry is an issue. Alves was a much better and complete player than Balde. In addition to having the speed and stamina that Balde is gifted with, Alves could also build-up play in the midfield, make runs without the ball, and make pin-point crosses.

[@BeakaD]

keep in mind raphina cant exploit the space made from asymmetry like Dembélé can. Raphina does better when there is a fullback to overlap with so he can cut inside. thats why when you look at raphinas best performances, its when sergi roberto plays at rb because he is less defensive minded than Koundé or Araújo

[@jakdvnfvniov2520]

Cancelo incoming. We will be back

[@narutoo6215]

​@@nirvana10111believe it or not, Dani Alves received the Sergi Roberto treatment in a sense: he was a midfielder that was later reconverted into a RB 😂

[@davidthe16th90]

I seriously love when you talk about Barcelona. Your analysis is always on point and really opens my eyes on the issue with the squad

[@AramTaranyan]

The face at the left of Xavi at 8:46 😱

[@XPL80]

I've been saying exactly this for some weeks now. The problem is Xavi, he seems to not train all this movement.

[@wallahhabibiiii]

It's both. Players that fit those roles AND Xavi coaching the movement into those players.

[@XPL80]

@@wallahhabibiiii when talking about 18-20 yo kids everything can be taught, specially if raised in Barça La Masia. That's why I say he's the main problem. Regarding de jong it is true he doesn't fit at all. He has all the same problems Yaya Touré had back in the day, and we all know how long it took to Pep to cut him, even though he was a beast. Also, the RB we have now do not mix well with Raphinha, who wants someone overlapping to cut inside. But then, why building a box midfield if you're gonna have the forwards in the half space? Just to fit in frenkie. He must be our big sale, but fear is higher than common sense these days, specially after Laporta's statement of consequences to who doesn't win...

[@aramenius4293]

I think he only lacks explosiveness. They play so slow and never take the opponent off guard. Also they almost never attempt shooting outside the box. Modern day game is much faster than what barca's showing. They're compensating for that with their good quality players but against high quality players too it'll be hard to compete if everyone can call the pass 3 minutes before it happens.

[@9_9_9editz]

currently top of the table and thrashed real betis 5-0, im really excited top see what this season has to offer

[@thetpainghtweoo4862]

This aged well 🥲

[@koopalibrary]

Whenever i watch these videos i'm reminded that whilst Pep is the student that surpassed his teacher, Cruijff (&Rinus) remains the master. Both Ajax and Barcelona are build around his vision. Makes me curious how Man City will play in the post Guardiola era

[@zarpspawn3508]

Thats what Xavi said about Lamine's performance during the match against Cadiz, "He did well but his plays were without purpose.". The problem is that we don't have balance in the team without a RB. Balde on the left wing is also just a stop gap no matter how good he is. It is time we shift back to a 433 and maximize the output of our front line. We have speed in our entire squad to recover lost distance during counters. We just have to trust a more attacking setup and make the team more comfortable to find space and through balls within that setup. For now in the first 2 matches, there is no chemistry b/w the players in anyway. We might also need a winger who can be trained to link the frontline with the midfield. Felix maybe can play that role but ideally someone else would be good. I can bet on Felix's talent though. He has so much raw potential that it can be perfected much more easily in due time.

[@wolfswinkel8906]

you guys had Dest, what happened

[@heectc]

@@wolfswinkel8906 simply not good enough for barca

[@nkulair]

Great video. I've noticed how Balde has more freedom making runs when Ansu is there & vice-versa. When Xavi plays someone who's not a winger like Gavi or Pedri there's little to no penetration on the left and lesser chances are created. The significance of Dembele was that he always made himself a threat as a winger and tested the defence. We need that threat on the left flank also rather than someone who isn't so focused on keeping possession and making the right pass, I think the answer is Ansu & Abde.

[@aristodiga82]

Agree. Not sure why Xavi has such a low trust in Fati.

[@nkulair]

@@aristodiga82 It makes no sense. The very least he can do is give him more game time like Dembele. I mean he even looks more promising than Dembele was a few years ago.

[@jamescampos2140]

Having watched barceloa for years and Xavis barca since his arrival, I think this is a good analysis on the teams structure or lack thereof. Seems like after the 2-1 Classico win the team dropped off a lot and it looked like a lot of crossing and hoping which is the same this season. Lewandowski has suffered for sure but i cant tell if he has fallen off or is suffering from the lack of formation and space in the team. He was surrounded by defenders the past 2 games but even his confidence to shoot first time looks gone

[@joelsnake8]

Half season into and it seems you had a point, the team is not working at all

[@dylanddtaruona9201]

Love your channel & I'm a Zimbabwean ❤

[@Amine-fo2qw]

Solution: Team Attacking position: 2-3-5 Araujo - Christensen/Kounde Cancelo - Romeo - De Jong Raphi/Lamal - Gundodan - Lewa - Pedri - Fati/Ferran Embrace an attacking squad to win! Unpopular opinion: Yes Balde is good with the ball, but the man can’t attack as part of the system and is not that good defensively with tons of mistakes. Just change him with a pure winger

[@kadanerichards6434]

Been waiting for this barca vid bro keep up the good content ❣❣💪🏿💪🏿

[@bryanbantar9742]

its amazing how you figure stuff even our coach is unable to see

[@AkeelMori]

you are right man!

[@hise2]

Finally, someone is talking about how messy their current structure was in the recent match.

[@dudeshiya]

The analysis is good. Tut saying frenkie de Jong doesn't understand the tactics is over the top. The problem are the guys around him. Tut with the arrival of Gundogan and potentially Cancelo, things will surely improve. I personally look forward to watching Pedri this year. With the arrival of Gundogan, he will finally have more of an Iniesta role. One guy that I think really needs time is Gavi. He is good with low tier opponents, but just not there with top tier and champions leave level opponents. Gavi is way too predictable and lacks flair. Plus, he is literally all over the place last year whether that be offensively or defensively.

[@POLPO_WOOD]

Exactly, Frenkie is a Cruyfista a big fan of the tactics, he knows very well how to play this.

[@Kingayyub]

This is more like a FDJ tactical breakdown video than a Barca season preview I suggest you remake this video, the team is formidable and could possibly win the treble this season with the 3-4-2-1

[@GreyOne]

Postional play would translate better as Juego Posicional. At least in Spain's Spanish.

[@i0073]

That's what I noticed too, the team was way to static, players kept waiting to make a run in behind, never trying to move around to create space, this also made it easy for the defenders to stop the runs with dirty fouls.

[@nathanael_rzf]

I love watching football tactics vids, and this channel is among the best Keep it up man❤

[@panrrak96]

Thank yu very much for the video and for the education. Xavi has done a very surprising first season and I belive the best is yet to come.

[@Spywon]

xavi could play with 3 central backs instead of looking for another right back. Cancelo is a good option but the team is easily well equipped to play city's box formation of the last season. I don't know why xavi doesn't want to give it a try

[@fimmyk]

Xavi is limited bro, he is a 1 system man and if that system doesn’t work then he is unable to adapt and evolve. Watching Barca play this season they’re just a disjointed mess relying of individuals to pull something out of a hat. We all know the reason he got the job in the first place is because he’s a club legend, anyone with his CV would have never sniffed that interview let alone get the job.

[@alexx1910]

@@fimmykHe also got the job because laporta didn’t know who else to bring during the middle of the season. Laporta always made it clear that xavi was never his first choice even Koeman said this in an interview. It was reported that Laportas first choice to manage barcelona was Arteta.

[@fimmyk]

@@alexx1910 Yeah to me Xavi was a good stop gap manager while barca looked for a more suitable coach - but i just cant believe their investing so much with him. But the thing that shocks me the most is that Barca didnt get Xavi a very experienced assitant coach to help him, instead Xavi's brother is his assistant. blind leading the blind

[@bellerophon6897]

Where would you put Balde in that system ?

[@Spywon]

@@bellerophon6897 either as a left central back or left winger, he could also stay off the pitch and a proper winger like Abde could play. There are some possibilities, Xavi could play around with that. Blade is already playing half as winger half left back. Surprisingly he’s not not doing extremely well, but maybe he’s be better if he’d lose a bit more defensive responsibilities. His defensive work rate would make that side pretty stable even if he’s playing as (attacking winger)

[@aliarshad6906]

We are so glad as Barca fans we have you great video once again

[@psychoced437]

I believe 90% of Barca's problem come from the rb position Without a proper rb, the team is too asymmetrical

[@squarecrusher]

i belive 90% of Barca problems come from the coach position, with Xavi team is laughable

[@Quinn-01r]

I think it's more of a midfielders not making runs behind the defense and shooting from outside the box

[@killjoy3373]

Eh, i disagree. A back 4 of kounde Araujo someone and Balde, with Balde pushing up the wing is fine, as long as, Romelu frankie, and pedri are the 3 midfielders, with Feran Lewa/Ansy and Yamal. You cant have 6 midfielders on the pitch and expect to find free space. You are also sacrificing attacking power when you dont have 2 winger with lewa.

[@kingsleykekeli1587]

@@squarecrusher exactly

[@psychoced437]

@@Quinn-01r The first goal litteraly came from Pedri running behind the defense and how you gonna shoot from outside the box with 10 men in the box?

[@nakdickson]

I remember you saying something in one your video like losing Busquet and the kind of player that replaces him will define the Xavi project. here we are now, it might take more time than anticipated.

[@danielodutola8855]

Dembele gave is the ultimate double barrel. Just when we started to get something approaching the version of the player we signed, he left for less than 50 million.

[@MerijnH]

It sucks that he left, but it's just something we gotta accept at this point I guess

[@jun1art]

he will regret it but right now I am more concern with barca

[@aramenius4293]

He was close to the version we bought last year too then surprise surprise he got injured in the most delicate time costing us the cup and Europa league. He's good while not injured except he's mostly injured. Glad he left.

[@menoknow1972]

I think Xavi maybe needs to become a little more flexible, maybe accept that some parts of the team may need to be more rigid, Cancelo would be a perfect right back and him being able to Dovetail with Pedri and Raphinha could make that right side very exciting. I know how exciting Raphinha can be with movement around him, he was phenomenal for Leeds because he often played with Ayling and Dallas as his inside and right back, and those 2 were incredibly flexible and could play a multitude of positions which at times allowed him to burst into space or get isolated against a full back and wreck havoc. But he needed their intelligence and movement to get those situations. (It also helps that his coach was a genius).

[@bythecliff]

Xavi was made the coach at a very difficult time. Ideally a more experienced coach should have been brought to guide the team during this transitional period. You can see the lack of proper coaching in the team in recent games. They have a lot to improve.

[@asm7406]

What you write is a fallacy, xavi comes from winning the league and super cup. Scaloni, Arteta, Guardiola also had no experience and built great teams.

[@atroxozaur]

​@@asm7406 What he writes is truth tho. Guardiola was unexperienced, but he had an AMAZING squad at that time. Xavi doesn't have this luxury, and he struggles becasue he isn't good enough to mould young players to his system, or not good enough to change HIS philosophy to fit the players he has. IF you did any research, you would know that all of them had completly different situation from Xavi.

[@mulla2713]

@@atroxozaur if you check Xavi played better with a poor squad, the moment we improved the squad the poorer he became, so its not an issue of the squad, the more people we bring the poorer he plays

[@atroxozaur]

​@@mulla2713 I'll disagree with you partly, i think the reason why we played better with poorer squad, is becasue we had Alba, Pique, Dani, and Busquets. He knew their weakpoints, their strenght, how the operate and which multiple roles they can play. He knew them so well, played with them for so long and now that everyone left, he doesn't have players that he knows, so this limits his options as he's not a good enough (at that moment) to see what all of his squad has to offer (for example playing Gundo in deeper role, or playing Fati as "10" where he struggles) I don't even think it's squad issue, but coach issue. He can't bring the best of his players, so that's why he wants so much City players as they're already world stars so he doesn't have to develop them. But i also think he doesn't know really what transfer he wants, that's why he can't utilize Raphinia, Ferran, Gundo (so far) and other to their max

[@latadhanuka9849]

Y'all write stuff without thinking anything .No "experienced or top" coach would take the Barcelona coach at that time .Xavi paid out of his own pocket, earning peanuts , understood the club's Ffp struggles etc .

[@bell_nation2274]

Finally somebody who see exactly what's the problems

[@amekgomo5250]

Another reason is that dembele left, let's be honest when dembele was injured last season we turned into atletico madrid winning unconvincing with 1-0 now were relying on a 16 yearold unpolished dembele in yamal, yamal could surpass dembouz but he needs time, we need to go back to the front three and we need to stop with raphinha, he's not much of a winger, cuts in way too much

[@chrisaraujo1110]

From a purely attacking point of view you’re right. But losing busi is the main problem in my mind. It was time for him to go, but not many players can match his positional awareness even now.

[@tsukishima123]

the problem with raphinha can be solved by bringing cancelo. the problem starts afterwards. Both Cancelo and Balde are attacking full-backs. There are not many world-class teams in Europe where both full-backs are attacking. When cancelo was loaned to Bayern, he wouldnt get game time bcs they already had Alphonso Davies. So we have to sacrifice baldes game time which in turn affects the game time of ansu fati.

[@amekgomo5250]

@@tsukishima123 that's the thing, players like dembele/yamal/abde/ansu can be effective without an attacking fullback helping them. If cancelo gets injured then raphinha is back to being poor again? That's not sustainable

[@brunetone]

As a barca fan i can i say, its been more and more frustrating to watch this squad play, and as I'd love for you to be mistaken, yoy nailed this video and the tactical problems barce will face. Cheers to a great analysis

[@HasanMahmud-ix8yk]

Purist I have got a question : Do you think Xavi can take us to the next level ? Does he have the capabilities or tactical acumen to take us forward ? Like Pep did at Barca . I mean is he the guy ??

[@suchitmrzn5951]

No he isn't he's just another average manager who has 0 experience in Europe. Give this squad to Nagelsmann and see what he'll do.

[@Breaccglaseredin]

​@@suchitmrzn5951 and why would naggelsmann come to a club which doesn't have the funds to provide the players he'd ask for and would probably have to settle for relatively lower wages than he'd get at other clubs? Moreover, if your main concern with xavi is inexperienced, it's really stupid to say naggelsmann is the coach you'd pick

[@jun1art]

@@suchitmrzn5951nagelsmann has more problem, he lack of interpersonal communication, did u see how he got sacked? he blames players for informing the tactic to the media, turns out it was his gf 😂

[@FirstLast-rf3mp]

You have to remember Pep had a Ballon D'or runner up Messi in his squad and a developed Xavi & Iniesta

[@HarshRaj-ec1dz]

As someone who has watched a lot of Cruijffian football from 1990s Barcelona, this is the dumbest famous take on positional play.

[@Regilvarghese]

Good analysis! Xavi as a coach has been underwhelming when comes to team selection and player identification.

[@asm7406]

No

[@said.h]

Hello.Your analysis is 1000% true.I agree. I would like to ask you, do you think that Barca will continue to play tiki-taka ? Because if a german coach comes or any other who doesen't know tiki-taka, he will maybe do a good job,but we will lose our dna and our style we are known for....I think only someoje who played for Barca or who knows this system can do that

[@aarxv016]

Im from future bro was right 🥹😭🙂

[@milanger17]

I think so too. The current squad is lacking the understanding of positional play, thus why we always see such an abstract shape on our build ups. It's almost like the players have to interpret what "positional play" themselves and try to execute it. Like Lewy for example, he tends to drop deep in the wrong time, while i get why he was doing that but the other teammates often feels like they were surprised that lewy drop deep and no one make a run in behind. They lack chemistry to play this style of play. So now it's either we change our approach on football and build it based around our players or we keep teaching them about that style of play until they get it right, because let's be honest searching player that fit with our style of play (especially with our financial situation) is a very hard thing to do.

[@Sibalukhulu_]

While I do believe it will affect us (mostly for the first half of the season) I don't fully agree that it's as big of a problem as you say. All these players have a fundamental understanding of this system especially the La Masia kids. Raphinha would've picked up something from Marcelo Bielsa, De Jong at Ajax would've had this education. This always happens to a team that is in transition, the issue I think has more to do with combinations, Balde, Fati and Gavi haven't really played together on that left wing so they wont know exactly what do. Without Dembele who gave us most if not all of our width on the right flank, the implementation of a right back in Joa Cancelo will come with its own adaptability period, But it also allows Raphinha or Lamine Yamal to have more freedom to tuck inside which is what comes naturally to them. Wont really get into all the individual combinations but the point I want to make is that with new players comes new combinations. We got a glimpse of what Fati and Balde can do together in pre-season and it was not the same as Balde and Gavi since they have different skills. I expect there to be a few hiccups all over the pitch in the first half of the season but then eventually everything will straighten out with a few new movements we didn't get last season. I don't think we will lose too many points from it though because judging from out pre-season and the first two games as much as the play might not have been the smoothest, we are still overwhelming the opposition on goal attempts, I expect our shots to goals ration to be a bit awful at first.

[@Daewonnni]

City played four CB’s with Stones being a libero. I think that’s what Xavi was going for with DeJong starting in the backline. Maybe not as fluid, but more solid. This is a work in progress where Cancelo will theoretically give Xavi more options.

[@ludwigkostmann4278]

I think you analysed it really well. Imo Frenkie, Pedri and Gündogan are our best players so they Need to play. But frenkies talent is wasted when playing the Single pivot, so there Needs to be another midfieder. So i dont See How we Can really Improve the left side. Cancelo could be extremely helpful for the Right side and solve the problem

[@ZahidHossain-lz2td]

We need to sacrifice either pedri or gundo or oriol. Can't play 4 midfielders at a time

[@lewhitebeard]

​@@ZahidHossain-lz2td4 2 3 1 with frenkie pedri and de Jong would be better.

[@fj949]

Spot on…exactly correct. The team is often stagnant with the ball slowing the buildup, and the lack of movement particularly impacts the final third in the attack where we resort to lobs inside the box and hoping to get a foot or head on the ball for a tap in. There is no unlocking of the middle of the pitch.

[@junioratte5767]

We’ll not struggle 💙❤️

[@danielhdz7634]

By far, the best analysis of football that I've found. I missed this a lot.

[@Mek_Add]

I think one of the problems is Gundogan. I know he is one of the best midfielders rn (if not the best), but he is just not being used in the right way. We have seen him on the left wing a lot on the pre-season and the first laliga match and it seems like he's taken Gavi's position, but gavi played as a second striker and what Gundogan has been doing is just playing as a CAM like Pedri. So I think either Pedri or Gundogan have to play as a second striker if they want to continue with the 3-2-5 formation. And the other thing is Lewandowski. I don't think I have to say any thing about that.

[@asm7406]

You know that Lewandowski is 9, if the central defenders mark him and he needs them, but the balls don't reach him, it won't do much for you.

[@fotrj]

Gundogan was the second best player against Cadiz what are you talking about.

[@add_ATM]

@@fotrj Yeah, but the chemistry between Pedri and Gundogan needed a lot of work and now they won't get the chance to work on it it because Pedri is injured

[@thembamekwa2311]

Another great video Purist. Amazing insight simply communicated. It is really worth noting that Xavi has played an entire season without a quality RB, so the arrival of Cancelo can’t be understated. We will see a more balanced and complete squad with greater fluidity. It will just require time

[@william_style2647]

I get what you’re saying but I don’t know if Cadiz and getafe are good to Analyse our structure because they were sitting so deep you just had to get everyone forward so the shape looked a bit off

[@LoopSeek3r]

Barca’s ability to deal with any formation/tactic thrown at them is definitely relevant to their overall performance

[@thepurist_]

I agree these kind of teams present a challenge, but Barca will play against them quite frequently. Unless the individual attacking quality can make a difference (which I’m not sure it can rn), the principles are even more important imo.

[@kennyagt]

Gold! Great analysis! I've been convinced for a while this is both a coach and quality of player problem. I think part of mastering positional play is to 1) try a play style that compliments the player's strengths AND 2) timing: - I think a lineup with 4-5 midfielders with all midfielders lacking attacking creativity is an unbalanced midfield. - I think allowing wingers to invert more often will complement Lewy better (i.e. too many times last year Demebele was just asked to go wide and pray he makes a perfect cross) - Running into the perfect position before the defense figures it (i.e. not taking advantage of counterattacks) - Making the pass that creates an attacking chance before it's too late (i.e. passing the ball wide to the winger when 3 defenders already got into position instead of passing it sooner when they were 1 v 1) - Give and go as fast as possible (I barely see an attempt at this, but I could be wrong) Barca is too slow and this so-call patient buildup method is delusional. Instead it's just looks like they have no idea.

[@seven92023]

I agree with this analysis. In the last 6-7 months Xavi has failed at getting the best from the players, especially in attack and the attacking third. There is lack of dynamism, movement and penetration. Lewandowski looks frustrated, Fati looks awkward trying to do too much to impress, Pedri looks lost and confused, Gavi is erratic and gets booked for stupid stuff, Raphinha looks out of place, Ferran is only given few minutes of play. It's chaos at the moment.

[@jankilly3516]

Xavi is obsessed with numerical superiority, but this gives control, not goals, so Offense is SLOW allowing teams to congest the box, thus low xG shots, blocked or just not taken. Barca NEEDS fast counters WITH sprinting support, long distance shots (see Rakitic days & Premier League examples), headers from QUICK wing crosses (Torres with Spain just showed this works). And pass 2-man deep, rather than to nearest player. Noticed Lewy stopped making breaking runs, now surrounded when he gets ball. DeJong is only one pushing/running through (and Pedri - aka Iniesta Jr.) but rarely shoots. Gavi should fake pass more, shoot more. Watch Bayern's speed, PL's counters to see the difference - how easy goals come when fast attacking. Pep is doing this with MC. And OLD Barca had this. Watch old Barca games, 1/3 goals on counters/headers, plenty and easy goals.

[@FearMyBurst]

Having Frenkie in the thumbnail next to "problem" and this title are quite provocative. You make a very good point on the tactical aspect, although the title and thumbnail could be a bit more nuanced.

[@Lucas_lsk1990]

Would be really cool if you could analyse Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen

[@rabbyalam]

Wonderful analysis. It looks like the players need some time to build a partnership in the absence of Busi. In my opinion, there is another problem on the left side. Balde is not a natural attacker. In this case, it is quite challenging for him to play both attacking and defensive roles. I think replacing one midfielder with Farhan or Ansu will improve the left side a lot. And obviously, they will need some time to sync up with one another. Keep up your good work.

[@williamsodonon7081]

Unfotunately, i don't think Ansu knows positional play. That's why he's not starting

[@rabbyalam]

You may be right in this case. Because of his early debut and injuries, his development hampered a lot. However, he is only 20 yrs old and has a lot of potential and chances to learn.

[@roberthubbard5696]

It's just not fun to watch Barca anymore after such a promising start with Xavi. I can't imagine why he changed and I hope he takes the approach you advocate because he, more than almost anyone knows the tactics.

[@brandon-vi8cl]

why are there so many delusional dutch fans calling F dejong the best current midfielder and even worse the best mid of this generation? I can think of 10 players currently and generationally all better than him

[@shabirosmani667]

I'm dutch but never heard de Jong is the best? He def is AMONG the best imo.

[@juliussipos2764]

It is the 8:46 frame that throws away my focus on this video. :D Anyway, great work!

[@Mountainspirit7]

The players don't move without the ball, and they would have to move constantly, they don't run between the lines, they don't run in behind the defense - they don't attack the space, there is no creativity in the midfield, they don't use the space, there are no through balls, they don't make triangles between the lines in empty space, transition is extremely slow, the circulation of the ball is extremely slow, no one-two play, no shots outside the box, no balls into the space etc, etc.. We play crosses, which is not our style of football and never has been and never will be!!! Shameful... Xavi needs to change a lot of things, and he has changed absolutely nothing in two and a half years and the team has not only stagnated, but also regressed, as well as the players individually, where almost all of them are stagnant or in a decline in form because Xavi he obviously doesn't know how to work individually with players!!

[@mathewhaukongo4303]

i totally disagree with you on this, as bad as xavi's in-game decisions and sometimes selections are you cant say he didnt accomplish anything at the club. remember the guy won barca the league as well as the super cup, something that hasn't happened in 4 years. balde is playing beautiful football because he was given more mins by xavi, gavi is well-recognised in the world as an amazing player and it is because he is being trusted by xavi. the problem with barca fans you think this is fifa. look at arsenal, go on google and search how long it took arteta to mould arsenal into what they are right now, go and look at how long it took pep to mould man city into a treble winning team and the most famous example look at how long it took manchester united to start playing the way they are at the moment. its a project, it requires time. its literally the second game of the guy's second full season.

[@ken-14san94]

Xavi not improving his players I don't know what he needs from his players but there's some really coaching issues of delivering his ideas yes he's bit inexperienced but players not getting his ideas and the performance is just declining not improving so far Early 2022 Barca team did gave us illusions but we never seen consistency afterwards and drop back happened and it's still going on.

[@zak__21]

I see so many people giving Xavi excuses in the comments. Yes we might be lacking some players who fit the system but what of ferran? He thrived in 21/22 under the same system yet Xavi isn't using him. We have a midfield of Gavi pedri , de jong and gundo and still want all the midfielders in the world. The only problems we truly have are Xavi's stubbornness and lack of a proper right back. Every other profile we need can be gotten from the squad.

[@aliticx]

This team is so boring to watch, we won’t win any trophy this season. From injuries to players acting irresponsibly (Raphinha) to tactics, to key players leaving, it’s a mess.

[@thomvanderveen8607]

im a bit confused why everyone in the comments seems to want cancelo in the barcelona team. yes it’s logical thinking that attacking full backs provide more movement and less static attacking play. however, it is actually guardiola himself who has proved that you don’t necessarily need them, using his full backs (ake and walker) as centre backs when in possession. with city it seems to be no problem that the winger is supposed to stay wide and not tuck inside to much. with that being said, i think cancelo is the last thing barca need, because his quality is to become a midfielder in possession. and what does barcelona have a lot of? quality midfielders. when xavi wants to play them all, like against cadiz, he puts frenkie in the back line and pedri/gavi in the attack. as frenkie will go into midfield as will pedri/gavi, you have 5 players in the centre of the pitch. with balde also being an attacking player, there are only two defenders left: araujo/kounde and christensen. with that in mind it seems to me that barcelona doesn’t need an attacking full back but someone like araujo and kounde who compensate for the attacking ‘defenders’ de jong and balde and not someone like cancelo which will result in only one real defender and a fairly overcrowded midfield of 6!

[@LoopSeek3r]

Cancelo + Frenkie and Gundogan double pivot with Pedri as a more advanced “10” would solve a lot of these issues

[@jabikkoirala3987]

In that double pivot frenkie is the creator and needs a player who can cover up in defensive phases or transitions but gundogan cant do that and gundogan's best position is the interior

[@atroxozaur]

Except it wouldn't. Both Frenkie, Cancelo and Gundo could operate in double pivot, but only as the same role. All of them could only play the same position, and would require a more typical CDM next to them. lining up with 2 pivots of the same role would lead to catastrophic gaps, and defensive problems, since none of them is able to cover, tackle and stay in one position.

[@LoopSeek3r]

@@atroxozaur i meant cancelo AND de jong gundo double pivot, as in cancelo coming an at rb , sorry worded it weird. But yeah i agree with you i just think at this point its worth a try to keep gundogan off the bench, but I totally see how frenkie is best next to romeu

[@Junta-]

Our wingers must play close to goal and avoid playing as tradition wingers. Our midfield need to be great without the ball and if not, we are going to suffer in big matches like champions league. Pedri, dejong are great on the ball but those 3 must tough on opposition players when they dont have the ball. With the addition of cancelo in right back our fullbacks position should be improved when defending

[@Skalawaskwarmy]

One way to solve the problem is to bench Frenkie de Jong, start a midfield three of Pedri, Romeu and Gundogan, add an extra winger in Ansu Fati and play with a real front three of Ansu, Lewan and Raphinha and it should already offer more dynamism.

[@kingsleykekeli1587]

bench Dejong are you for real

[@arkaroy9827]

Yeah then lose one match and get sacked ..

[@Skalawaskwarmy]

@@kingsleykekeli1587 yes what does he offer that Pedri, Gundoghan and Romeu don't offer? Romeu is a better defensive mid than him and Pedri and Gundo are far superior going forward and have a goal in them something FDJ doesn't have. FDJ is severely overrated

[@Mek_Add]

U know that he's been MVP on both of our first 2 LaLiga matches this season

[@Skalawaskwarmy]

One of them playing in a position that he wasn't even brought in for at Centre back. Playing him in midfield also hinders Pedri a lot because he is then forced to play on the right side of midfield when he is clearly better on the left. Playing Frenki de Jong also means sacrificing a winger in favor of an extra midfielder which causes a lack of dynamism up front. He needs to get benched, what he offers Barca don't really need, he's not a bad player he just doesn't really fit their system. He would fit way better at United@@Mek_Add

[@ishtea]

Hi Purist, Xavi usually deploys Gavi as LW. Can you make a video explaining why Xavi does this and where he might have gotten the idea from? Is this similar to when iniesta used to be deployed as LW? In recent years, we have seen Foden playing LW at Man city even though he started out as a CAM. Thank you and I appreciate your analysis.

[@samtrend2416]

8 months and 12 days later after this video, Barcelona lost the league by losing 4-2 to girona, and went troohyless for the whole season. The puritist Knows football and is a great analyst.. I affirm that today.. ❤❤

[@rolandpage]

Alonso's understanding of positional play complements his defensive prowess, making him a valuable asset to our team.

[@tanumoydas1782]

I was having these cues during last two games. That these things are off.. But never reached a definitive conclusion, you cleared it for me... As always, wonderful explanation & analytical... Love your work..

[@marcosjmelendez-lopez1799]

I think with the signing of Cancelo, we’ll have that movement that your talking about. Cancelo as RB and Balde as LB is perfect. Kounde and Araujo as CB’s.

[@muhammadanfaal971]

That is why with dani alves at rb we saw barca to be a more attacking team but since we dont have a natural rb we face probs so with cancelo coming most of our orobkems will be solved and this team still needs a time of about a month to gell completely

[@CuLeRiNhO]

Spot on ! Xavi needs to develope the squad he has. That will show if he actually is a great coach

[@vhxpnotic3325]

You should do this video again analyzing the impact of Felix and Cancelo

[@_DioBrando_]

Madrid were not serious in the league last season. I think they will shape up and won't let Barca off the hook, especially their diamond works (it looks like it will).

[@ARJUN-SS]

they got outplayed bro😅

[@Potjandorie]

De jong is already familiar with this setting. Firstly, because this positional play is very common in Dutch academies (Cruyff influence). Secondly, well... Ajax 18/19

[@emiled_denmark]

Omg you are the best show and tell!! So right in everything you say.. Will like to more depth in to what you think they have to do!

[@juanfortuno4605]

Totally agree, Xavi needs Cancelo and I think Gundogan can be very important in this aspect for the team

[@somethingandahalf]

whats hilarious is how often you make a point and then it completely backfires and things turn around in real life.. really cracks me up. usually when big teams with a lot of quality players struggle it actually works in their favour as they look to find more suitable roles on the pitch and it becomes a hybrid tactic. barca have a lot of quality in ever area except the flanks with dembele gone but more than enough in midfield to make up for it with teamwork its only a matter of adaptation and making those little changes on the inside. you assume that everything will stay as it is and there will be no change which obviously isnt going to be the case. malmo, fluminense.. great managers, supposedly, fluid formations.. setting the trend blah blah both teams crashing hard because football is not that simple of a game, its why tactics evolve. trying to do an 80s thing in 2023 may catch people off guard for a bit but will be exposed in due time.. what cant be exposed is top players working together and doing simple things, barca have the squad to pull it off and their current struggles will be the trigger

[@holyabeikugawuga6049]

Even with the quality we are having this season, We see less tactics from Xavi. Somethings he excelled during his 1st season. The big problem is he overloading the midfield forgetting we need goals and attacker should be in. Balde's position is ideal but he needs a winger to accommodate him not midfielder

[@ilovepraise]

As far as am concerned the tika-taka style of play is not dead in club football. But the lowbrow here is this side, the coach has bring back that coordination in the team

[@thomastewksbury39]

I love how cancelo was confirmed days after this video came out