Barcelona went into Madrid last Saturday with aplomb and completed the most critical week of its season triumphantly, making history in the process – Barca had never won consecutive matches at the Bernabeu. While most of the pre-game conversation revolved around Madrid’s $300 million renaissance, or the supremacy of Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo, the actual mega supremo de todos on the field was Xavi, by far. The Barcelona midfielder not only was directly responsible for the two goals, but also created at least three other chances, two wasted by Messi, and generally controlled so much possession that Madrid’s explosive attack was largely defused.
Xavi has been Barcelona's maestro this season.
Xavi has dedicated most of his life to Barcelona, and it shows. For any manager, Xavi is a dream, as are Iniesta and Messi. A modest field general with the keenest sense of the game’s flow and impeccable technique, great vision, gritty but never a dirty player, Xavi lives for match day. Like Messi and Iniesta, who also grew up in Barca’s academy, Xavi maintains a low key presence off the field, content with mellow forms of entertainment (dinner, movie), rather than craving the attractive Barcelona night-life. It shows: his lucidity and endless stamina is evident every time. There are no better passers, or more intelligent players than Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. As a trio they are involved in virtually every Barca goal.
On Saturday, in the mega clash of La Liga, Messi had a good, though not great, match. He scored again in the aftermath of his Arsenal demolition and generally kept Albiol and Garay busy. But it was Xavi that dictated the flow time and time again. How was Xavi given so much space to distribute, as he had on the second goal, where he turned and scoped the whole pitch before seeing the lane and firing a perfect lead pass into Pedro’s stride?
On the other side, Madrid’s explosive cannons were largely neutralized by Barca’s command of the midfield. Cristiano Ronaldo did not have a bad match, but neither did he rise to the occasion. On a couple of breakthroughs he could have done more, surely he would want these chances back. Overall he did not play like the $$$$$ supergalactico on the highest stage. At 2-0 down, Van der Vaar missed Madrid’s best opportunity to set up a dramatic final quarter of an hour when he broke through free with only the goalkeeper to beat, but was denied by Victor Valdez. And why was Benzema thrown in so late in the match? That was a grave mistake by Pellegrini, to Guardiola’s relief.
The match ended with Xavi, flanked by Iniesta and Messi, directing Barca’s beautiful game of keep-away in commanding fashion. La Liga was not decided on Saturday, there are still many points in play. But Barcelona’s performance confirmed yet again why this is the best club team of all time.