Three talking points ahead of Getafe vs Barcelona

Barcelona’s recent results have been far from Xavi’s wanting. After falling to a disastrous 4-0 loss against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, the men in garnet-and-blue played out a draw against Girona on Monday and are winless in two games now.

On Sunday, Barcelona take on Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in a game that would be a big step towards sealing the title.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side currently sit in 16th place on the league standings with just seven wins in 28 games so far. They have suffered 12 losses this season and have not beaten the Catalans in their last four encounters.

However, they have not lost to Barcelona in their last two clashes at Coliseum Alfonso Perez either. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona’s clash against Getafe on Sunday.

1. The final push

Xavi Hernandez refused to call the La Liga race finished in his press conference ahead of his team’s clash against Getafe. However, he did make an interesting declaration about the topic. The Spanish tactician stated that if Barcelona went on to win their next three to four games, the title would be in the bag.

The Catalans currently sit 13 points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga. Thus, the league would be mathematically over if Barcelona won their next six games. Xavi’s more ambitious claim is understandable, however, given that Carlo Ancelotti’s side could focus on the UEFA Champions League and would be more prone to dropping points in La Liga.

The Catalans dropped two vital points against Girona last weekend as they failed to put the ball into the net after 90 minutes. Real Madrid’s defeat to Villarreal was their saving grace on and protected them from losing ground in the standings.

On Sunday, Barcelona can hope for no more such lucky escapes. Given that it is the only competition they are alive in, there is no excuse that would justify losing points at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

2. On the cusp of vital returns

Barcelona have suffered a long time without some of their best stars. Recoveries at the club have taken significantly longer than proposed by the medical team. After a long time out, Xavi is expected to regain the services of some of his most important players next week for the game against Atletico Madrid.

Both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are expected to be fit for that game, which comes as a massive boost to the team in terms of creative output. While the situation around Ousmane Dembele is still not as favourable, Andreas Christensen too appears to be closer to a comeback.

Barcelona’s game against Getafe will, thus, be one final roll of the dice before the team regains its leaders. Xavi must address the problem of lack of creativity one last time to pioneer his side in the final third, for he will no longer have the dilemma from the next encounter.

3. A return to the comfort zone

Xavi’s Barcelona has become synonymous with the four-midfielder dynamic in recent months. The unusual system has surprisingly worked wonders for the Catalans and has been half the reason behind their rampant form in La Liga.

The Spanish tactician’s idea has been to deploy three midfielders in the usual core of a 4-3-3 in the form of one pivot and two interiors. However, one forward position also presents a midfield star, perplexing opposition defences.

Gavi’s deployment as a false-left winger has worked like a charm for the Blaugranas. While his work rate has never been in question, the attacking role enables the La Masia star to make menacing runs behind the opponents’ defence and open up spaces.

Xavi changed the system against Girona to a traditional 4-3-3, and the result was evident. With Ansu Fati and Raphinha starting alongside Robert Lewandowski in the starting XI, Frank Kessie was pushed to the bench. The new dynamic failed to work out and ended in a 0-0 draw.

The simplest way to tackle the game against Getafe, therefore, would be to revert to the working system. Sergio Busquets, Frank Kessie and Sergi Roberto could start as the midfielders with Gavi starting as the false winger.