Xavi, between the flower and the faith

Xavi he put on the coach suit of the Barça just ago three weeks and asked for excellence. Of course, that is not what he has had in a first week on the bench that he will always remember, with games against Espanyol, Benfica and Villarreal that have been movies in themselves. And in which, obviously, Barça has had strokes of luck: the two sticks of Raúl de Tomás and the header bewildered of In the eyes, the occasion represented in an incredible way by Seferovic, the dominance without a prize of Villarreal … And also two important arbitration decisions: the disputed penalty from Cabrera to Memphis and the hand of Piqué this Saturday.

But Xavi has also given an injection of faith thatthat it was necessary. The Koeman rawness, sincere (and correct) in his analysis, ended up affecting the squad, which was moving towards that dangerous vicious circle in which the dressing room believes itself to be worse than it is. That “is what there is”, the cry for Messi’s 30 goals and the assumption of not being able to fight for titles already at the beginning of the season, ended up undermining the relationship between the Dutchman and the house. Xavi has changed from that. “We are very high,” said Eric Garcia with that youthful expression after the victory at Villarreal. Surely, the players they are very aware of the shortcomings that the staff continues to have; and what they are suffering on the lawn. But Xavi has given them back a certain faith in what they do. He has asked them to have confidence in your possibilities. That young people like Nico or Gavi do not become self-conscious, that Araújo emerge between Piqué’s suffering and Eric’s doubts; that Alba and Busquets support the team on the field; and that De Jong and Memphis launch the team as happened in Vila-Real. Without that faith, it is not explained that Depay was looking for that ball that ended at 1-2 …

The result have been two consecutive wins in the league for the first time so far this season. And a feeling of camaraderie and family in the booth. The gesture of Memphis with Coutinho, allowing him to shoot the penalty that he had caused to add good vibes in the group, tells of a team that is trying to unite in adversity. And that, with all his physical, tactical and football shortcomings, he has decided to unite around a coach who, for many, has been a benchmark as a player. Xavi knows that he has that added value. The results, without a doubt, are your best ally to become credible. For now, walk between the flower and the faith. But be careful because, in football, inertias are sometimes unstoppable. And, for now, Xavi has chosen to win in the League.