Barcelona: how Xavi undressed Real Madrid, their biggest rival, and exposed their weaknesses

Supercoupe d’Espagne Xavi avant Betis-Barça Nous voulons aller jusqu'au bout dimanche et gagner la finale

Sport

Barcelona’s Spanish Supercup win is more than a title victory. Since if this last one gives Barcelona a new game plan on which its coach could surf the rest of the season to go for LaLiga that it so desires, it has also exposed its biggest rival.

Xavi Hernandez’s first win that led to his first title is more important than the trophy itself. Since the way and the manner validate the way forward and cast doubt on Real Madrid, unrecognizable at this stage of the season in the midst of an identity and game crisis that would be even worse without the charismatic figure of Courtois.

Indeed, in this Supercup final in Riyadh, Barca has upset its great rival, has revealed itself as a team and has given shape to a tactical plan that could serve him for the rest of the season. The use of four midfielders, a more cautious approach to pressing, the hierarchy of their three defenders (Araújo, Koundé and Christensen) and strength in the penalty areas overwhelmed Madrid.

And if Carlo Ancelotti’s cards got muddled, it was because the Italian failed to address his team’s defensive dismantling. The cracks between the lines are getting worse, the apathy in the duels is repeated too often and the individual errors of weight condition any response.

In any case, Madrid lost in style not only because of its criminal performance, but also because the idea of the game that Xavi had in mind was carried out in great detail, which reveals the greatest weaknesses of this Madrid team that no longer inspires confidence.

Sandrine Zounon

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