Tactics
Why did Xavi the coach fail?
Xavi came in and stabilised the ship. Sadly, however, he wasn't able to take Barcelona back to the top. We discuss why in this tactical analysis.
tactical analysis
Review
Did Barcelona deserve more vs Girona or do the numbers lie?
According to the data, Barcelona maybe even should have won against Girona. But do the numbers lie?
Tactics
Barcelona's midfield: Elite but still far from complete
A midfield trident of Pedri, De Jong and Gundogan is great on paper, but incomplete in practise.
Review
Heartbreak at Montjuic: How Barcelona lost despite a dominant Clasico performance
Match review of Barcelona's loss to Real Madrid despite a dominant Clasico performance.
Tactics
The silent project-killer: Barcelona's recurring defensive issues
It's not the new issues that kill projects but the old ones; ones you don't fix right away and they get bigger, rolling like a snowball until they become unmanageable.
Profile
Fermin Lopez: The unlikely hero in Xavi's ranks
Fermin Lopez could become the unlikely hero for Barcelona in the upcoming seasons. Here's his full scout report.
Profile
Gavi 2.0: From Xavi's utility player to a Barcelona superstar
Gavi is on his way to stardom. Here's his full scout report.
Tactics
Barcelona's Champions League analysis: Tactics of Porto, Shakhtar & Antwerp
Barcelona have struggled in the Champions League. Despite talent and high hopes, they've repeatedly fallen short. So how can they set up to qualify from the group stage?
Profile
İlkay Gündoğan at Barça: What's the Perfect Role for the Perfect Midfielder?
Does Xavi put the German on the left to prioritise his attacking presence or does he ensure more control by sticking him on the right instead?
Review
Dominant result, (not so) dominant display: Barça score 4 but still underperform?
Dominant result, (not so) dominant display: Barça score 4 but still underperform?
Tactics
Manipulation, isolation and dynamic superiority: Inside Xavi's brilliant mind
Xavi has a brilliant football mind. Can he temper that with man management and match experience to evolve into an elite coach?
Tactics
Raphinha & the annihilation of the offside line
Raphinha is the master of the parallel run and we’ve already seen him reap the benefits of its (almost) unstoppable nature.