With a new Coach in Luis Enrique and fresh signings to integrate, 22 points from 10 La Liga games is hardly a terrible start for Barcelona. Yet it appears they are missing a certain x-factor that has been so influential for more than 15 years: Xavi Hernandez.
The most decorated Spanish player in history is drawing towards the end of an illustrious career that will see him remembered among the midfield greats of the game, not least for his central role in helping define a style of play that brought such overwhelming success to Barcelona and the national side.
However Xavi is an ageing man and Barca are desperate to figure out how to replace what has been the heartbeat of their team for such a long time. Enrique is as devoted to the philosophy of ball retention as his predecessors, and in order to exact his long-term planning at Camp Nou, he must overcome the quandary of a declining Xavi.
Ivan Rakitic has been brought in almost as a like-for-like replacement, a colossal task for any player regardless of their standing in the game. The Croatia international is undoubtedly talented and seen as the future of this side, but Xavi was a hugely influential figure at the heart of Barcelona’s all-conquering team. It wasn’t just his sublime vision and passing, but his ability to marshal a midfield that relied on attacking verve as its primary weapon.
Xavi’s understanding with Andres Iniesta was of course a key component in the equation, and Rakitic must endeavour to develop this relationship. However at the age of 30, it may be more difficult for Iniesta to adapt to his new partner.
Lionel Messi has dropped deeper in the attack not only to accommodate the arrival of Luis Suarez, but also to compensate for the diminishment in Xavi’s influence, his sublime ability in the final third that made Barcelona so irresistibly potent. Perhaps an evolution in style and setup rather than attempting to directly replace Xavi is the correct course of action.
In Suarez and Neymar, the Catalan club ought to be able to offset the loss of Messi’s ridiculous goal tallies caused by his deeper deployment. With just four goals conceded, they boast the League’s best defensive record, while their attack is blessed with sublime talent. It is in the engine room where Barcelona currently lack, struggling to zip the ball around with their accustomed panache even when winning.
Xavi only made his first Primera Division start in Barca’s sixth fixture of the season, a 6-0 victory against Granada. This began a run of four consecutive games in the starting XI, bringing a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano and 3-0 success against Eibar before the defeat at Santiago Bernabeu.
Pointedly in the game against arch rivals Madrid, Xavi was looked to for his experience, but despite a fine pass in the build up to Neymar’s early goal, he failed to dominate proceedings and was withdrawn on the hour mark, followed 10 minutes later by Iniesta, uncharacteristically at fault for Karim Benzema’s third strike for the hosts.
The significance of the changing of the guard was not lost, and Barcelona must address the heart of their midfield. Rakitic will find ways of feeding the supply line, but he must elevate himself to a position of greater standing and influence at the Nou Camp. At the age of 26, and having previously captained Sevilla on route to a Europa League triumph, he appears primed to do so.
Xavi still has a role to play for Barcelona, albeit a diminished one, shown by his late introduction against Celta Vigo as the Catalans chased the game. As the team adapts to life without one of its greats, the roles of Rakitic and Messi in particular will be crucial.
