Despite the early season struggles under Ronald Koeman and those in the first few games under their new Spanish manager, Barcelona have now picked up more La Liga points since the turn of the year, than any other side, level with Villarreal, whilst they have played one game less.
Xavi Hernandez at his presentation as the new coach of FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium on November 8, 2021, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. (Photo by Albert Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The process is always something that requires the fans to exercise lots of patience because it takes time for a new manager to assemble and create the right chemistry in a struggling side, but it seems Xavi Hernandez has maneuver in such a short period.
Everyone wants to play Barcelona just few months ago but right now, not even the best sides in Europe wants to have a go at the side taking into perspective how they have fared in their most recent games.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, winning five. While they have scored four times in each of their last three games, which have been against Napoli, Athletic Club and Valencia, teams not many will see them defeat just before the turn of the year.
Where it started to work for Barcelona ?
From the appointment of Xavi, Barcelona have taken the right step in their rebuild not only because the Spaniard had an outstanding record at Al Sadd but he is a man who understands the football being played at the club, as himself has gone through it all at the club.
Of course there were more established manager with better profile than Xavi that could have been considered for the job but the Barcelona hierarchy waited for one of their own and showed faith in him amidst the tough times at the club. And kudos to Xavi for not turning his back at that time.
How the financial incapability and La Masia has help
The inability of Barcelona to make transfers due to the financial crisis has also played an indirect role in fastracking Barcelona’s resurgence ad it made them place more trust in their youth players coming out from the club’s famous Academy, La Masia.
Years past, the club had chosen to spend on new signings instead of integrating some of their own into the first team. This system had seen the likes of Adama Traore, Marc Bartra, Éric Garcia, Carles Perez and others left the club to continue their trade elsewhere.
The financial constrict pave way for the likes of Pablo Gavira, Nico Gonzalez and others to be given the chance to play. While the likes of Sergino Dest, who was not very convincing in their early days at the club was given more time, and now he is getting back to his best.
It has also helped the club focus more on the Academy and the chances give to the likes of Pablo Gavira, Nico Gonzalez, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Ilias Akhomach will be an inspiration to the upcoming players in the set up, encouraging the drive to progress and make the cut at their childhood club.
Good transfer decisions
Due to the club’s inability to spend much on transfer, Xavi had to make the best choices in the winter transfer window so as not to repeat the same mistakes that has been haunting the club in recent times, i.e wrong choices of new signings.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 with Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Athletic de Bilbao at the Camp Nou on February 27, 2022 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
And Xavi so far seems to have got it right with the transfers as the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres and Dani Alves all hitting the ground running at the club and have contributed 16 goals between them so far.
Goal for the season’s remainder
Barcelona have now secured a place in the round of 16 of the Europa League and have a clear route to third place in La Liga by winning their game in hand. Also, the LaLiga title is not all over for them this season as winning their outstanding game will leave them twelve points behind Real Madrid with 12 games more to spare this season.
It is obvious a place in the Champions League next season, which looked almost mission impossible before Xavi’s appointment is now for them to lose, if Barcelona did not end up pushing Real Madrid for the title, it will not be a total disappointment but the club could now see them as favourite for the UEFA Europa League.
The club is getting better game of games and though it is too early to tell how the season will end or if they can maintain consistency over time, but what is obvious is that it has been so far so good under their formal midfield maestro.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
