FOOTBALL
Can Xavi save Barca?
Barcelona have turned to Xavi Hernandez for overseeing one of the direst transitional phases in their history.
Wasteful transfer expenditures, piling debts, suffering humiliating defeats in Europe, and losing the talismanic Lionel Messi; things have been far less than ideal in recent times for the Blaugrana faithful.
Can Xavi be the saviour they are hoping him to be?
Ronald Koeman, also a former Barcelona legend, failed to get a grip on the team throughout his tenure, and the situation continuously declined under his watch.
The Dutchman could not implement a free-flowing style, which has been the distinguishing feature for Barcelona teams and chose to go for a more direct approach instead.
Unfortunately for him, things did not turn out per his plan.
Xavi needs to fix midfield
As a player, Xavi is one of the best football has ever seen.
He was a midfield maestro who led Barcelona and Spain to the most prestigious trophies.
Playing as a deep-lying playmaker, the Euro 2008 Player of the Tournament was the nucleus of the dominating midfield in those all-conquering Barcelona and Spain teams.
On paper, therefore, Xavi appears to be a perfect appointment to sort out the disjointed Barcelona midfield.
The Catalan side has problems across all areas in the pitch, but undoubtedly, it’s the centre of the field where they seemed more lacklustre.
Barcelona have some exciting young midfield talents in Pedri, Frankie de Jong, Riqui Puig, Gavi, and Nico Gonzalez.
Pedri had an excellent Euro 2020 campaign with Spain while De Jong was a key member of Eric Tan Hag’s Ajax team that reached the Champion’s League semifinals in 2019.
De Jong is also a regular in the Netherlands national team.
Xavi will also reunite with his former teammate Sergio Busquets, who is the most senior presence in the Barca midfield right now.
The 33-year-old is still performing consistently for Spain but is struggling to replicate his national team form at the club level.
Xavi’s primary challenge would be to restore harmony in the Barca mid so that Barcelona can get back to the possession-based play that has earned them so much success in the past.
The Al Sadd experience
It’s natural to question whether or not Xavi was the right appointment for the Barcelona job, given his coaching credentials.
The 41-year-old has only managed Qatari side Al Sadd in his managerial career.
Even though he was extra-ordinarily successful at Al Sadd, you don’t need to be a football expert to realize that the La Liga is a monumental leap from the Qatar Stars League.
That said, Xavi’s coaching philosophy at Al Sadd did resonate with the Barcelona ethos.
His team enjoyed high possession, was great at transitions and was quick to win the ball back when they lost it.
The Dani Alves factor
Dani Alves is a footballer Xavi respects the most.
Beyond his footballing skills, Dani Alves is also a leader and has a winning mentality – qualities which Xavi wants his Barca squad to imbibe.
The right-back has hopes of being with Brazil at next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar which means that he will need to keep himself in shape and remain competitive to boost his chances of Tite calling him up.
Alves’ arrival also increases competition in the right-back position which has been one of the team’s weak spots.
Sergiño Dest has been inconsistent and neither Óscar Mingueza nor Sergi Roberto have looked convinced when playing in the role.
Of course, it would not be easy to reapply this formula in a more competitive league, but Xavi has shown that he holds the fundamentals of the Cruyff school of thought close to his heart.
It’s no secret that Barcelona don’t have a perfect team at the moment to execute Xavi’s vision of one touch football.
They need to be patient and lay out a proper plan to redeem their status as a European powerhouse
FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan! FC Goa secured a memorable 2-1 victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League at Fatorda Stadium. This high-stakes encounter ended Mohun Bagan’s unbeaten streak, marking a significant moment in the league.
Brison Fernandes opened the scoring for FC Goa in the 13th minute, assisted by Borja Herrera. His shot deflected off Mohun Bagan’s Tom Aldred, giving Goa an early lead. Despite pressing attacks, Mohun Bagan failed to capitalize on opportunities during the first half, keeping FC Goa ahead.
The second half saw Mohun Bagan equalize through Dimitrios Petratos’ penalty, awarded after a handball by Armando. With the match level, momentum shifted briefly in favor of Mohun Bagan. However, FC Goa struck again in the 68th minute as Brison Fernandes headed in Herrera’s precise cross, sealing the lead and eventual victory for the home side. FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan!
FC Goa’s defense stood firm during the closing stages, with Sandesh Jhingan and Odei Onaindia effectively countering Mohun Bagan’s attempts to find another equalizer. This win elevated FC Goa to third place in the league standings with 22 points from 12 matches, showcasing their strong form this season.
The match underscored FC Goa’s resilience and tactical discipline, while Mohun Bagan will aim to bounce back from this setback. Fans were treated to an exciting contest, reflecting the competitive spirit of the league.
FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant! The Indian Super League (ISL) promises an intense showdown as FC Goa faces league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant this Friday at Fatorda. With playoff positions at stake, both teams are set for a thrilling encounter.
FC Goa aims to break into the top three with a win, continuing their unbeaten six-match streak. Striker Armando Sadiku leads the Goa attack with eight goals in ten matches, while midfielders Iker Guarrotxena and Dejan Drazic add creativity. Young goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari’s three clean sheets in five matches provide defensive assurance. FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant!
Mohun Bagan, atop the league with 26 points, has relied on Jamie Maclaren’s scoring consistency and Greg Stewart’s midfield mastery. Although Stewart will miss the match due to injury, the Mariners boast six clean sheets this season, anchored by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
Both teams have impressive records, with Goa scoring 21 goals and Mohun Bagan conceding only 10 this season. The match could define playoff aspirations as Mohun Bagan aims to solidify their position, and Goa seeks to climb the rankings. Fans anticipate a tightly contested game between two strong sides showcasing Indian football’s growing quality.
The match is critical for both teams’ playoff aspirations. FC Goa looks to capitalize on their home advantage and attacking prowess, while Mohun Bagan seeks to extend their dominance at the top of the league. With FC Goa scoring 21 goals and Mohun Bagan conceding only 10 this season, the battle promises to be a showcase of quality football.
Fans are eagerly anticipating this high-stakes clash, which could significantly impact the league’s playoff picture. Both teams have shown resilience and skill, ensuring a thrilling contest.
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 features a highly anticipated clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa at Fatorda’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. Both teams come into this encounter in solid form, aiming to strengthen their campaigns at a crucial juncture in the season.
Mohun Bagan leads the standings with an unbeaten streak, registering seven wins and a draw in ISL 2024-25. Their defensive strength is evident, having kept six clean sheets. FC Goa, sitting fourth on the table, boasts a dynamic attacking style, with nine different players contributing goals this season.
This battle between Mohun Bagan’s resolute defense and Goa’s attacking versatility promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Goa seeks to overcome the league leaders and secure vital points to narrow the gap. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan looks to extend its dominance and consolidate its position at the top.
Key players to watch include Mohun Bagan’s defensive stalwarts and Goa’s offensive playmakers. Both sides have demonstrated their capability to adapt to challenging situations, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. With the mid-season point approaching, the match carries significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
Fans can expect an intense, action-packed game as two of the ISL’s top teams vie for supremacy. Mohun Bagan’s strategic discipline will be tested against Goa’s creative and relentless attacks. This matchup is a must-watch for football enthusiasts, showcasing the best of Indian football talent.
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan Divorce Rumours: What’s Happening in Their Marriage?
Taylor Swift Gifts Same $4,500 Dress to Teenage Fan Who Complimented Her Outfit
Banita Sandhu Attends Diljit Dosanjh’s Concert Amid Feud
Manolo Marquez Discusses ISL’s Future and Growth of Indian Football
Nepal Premier League Becomes a Watershed Moment for Nepali Cricket
A Cricketing Extravaganza in the Himalayas
Bridging Local Talent with Global Opportunities NPL 2024
Shikhar Dhawan’s Dominant Innings in the Nepal League
Pokhara Avengers Achieve Historic 10-Wicket Victory Over Lumbini Lions
Why are Australian cricketers wearing black armbands on Day 1 of the pink-ball Test against India?
-
FILMY1 year agoWATCH: Tripti Dimri shocks audiences with daring nude sequence in Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Animal’
-
BIG NEWS2 years agoRiva Arora, aged 12, romances with Karan Kundrra in viral video
-
BIG NEWS2 years agoMeet the sexiest female golfer ever!
-
LATEST2 years agoThe sexiest tennis star on the planet. Do you agree?
-
CRICKET1 year ago‘Bloody dump captain’ – Former Pakistan cricketer lashes out at Babar Azam and staff for mismanagement of fast bowlers in Asia Cup 2023
-
FILMY1 year agoWATCH: After Tripti Dimri, Rashmika Mandanna’s intimate scene with Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Animal’ goes viral on internet
-
CRICKET1 year agoTop 10 hairstyle of MS Dhoni from 2007 to 2023
-
FILMY1 year agoDid you know Simi Garewal dated India’s iconic industrialist Ratan Tata? Know more about this