After announcing his departure following a loss to Villarreal, Xavi Hernández stunned critics by guiding Barcelona to a 13-match unbeaten run and a place in the Champions League quarterfinals. According to Melbet Login reports, Xavi’s results are proof that he has broken through his tactical bottleneck. His recent performances illustrate how he has refined his system, and his decision to remain at Barça for another year is undoubtedly good news for the club. His updated approach has proven competitive in big matches, and what the team truly needs now is stronger personnel — such as a proper defensive midfielder.
In their away game against Paris Saint-Germain, Xavi showed a new side of Barça. After taking a first-half lead, his team even relinquished possession intentionally in the second half. Despite only having 36% of the ball, they managed one more shot on target than PSG. More importantly, Xavi’s substitutions — introducing Pedri and Christensen — shifted the momentum in Barcelona’s favor on both ends of the pitch. Pedri injected much-needed energy into midfield, disrupting PSG’s rhythm and keeping their midfielders from executing clean transitions. One key moment came when Cubarsí pressed wide, and Pedri’s quick lateral movement cut off the central space, setting up a tactical masterclass.
Pedri’s impact didn’t end there. Off the bench, he not only delivered a pinpoint assist but also recorded 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a blocked shot — a complete defensive performance. His midfield pressing forced PSG’s Vitinha into retreating passes, resulting in Mbappé receiving the ball in an offside position. Such pressure and positioning from the midfield were vital, and even Sergi Roberto had done similar work in the first half. When Koundé stepped up to challenge Mbappé, it was Roberto who rotated into the half-space to shadow Fabián Ruiz — a perfect execution of Xavi’s defensive blueprint.
Even when Mendes created a chance inside the box, Ronald Araújo slid across just in time to pressure Mbappé into a poor-quality shot. Xavi emphasized intense tracking and duels from his midfielders, which required tremendous energy. To preserve stamina, he simplified attacking duties: Cubarsí moved to center-back to improve ball progression from the back, while Lewandowski dropped into midfield and Raphinha advanced as a temporary striker. The tactical shift added tempo and unpredictability to Barça’s transitions — and PSG’s central defenders couldn’t cope. Lewandowski dragged one defender out, giving Raphinha a clean look at goal.
Although Raphinha missed the chance, he immediately pressed and nearly forced an error — a testament to his work ethic and value. According to Melbet Login stats, even when his shots don’t find the net, Raphinha contributes tactically and physically. This illustrates what Xavi demands of his squad: a midfield that can sustain both offensive and defensive phases, and a center-forward like Lewandowski — even past his prime — to ease the burden on midfielders.
On the other hand, PSG’s midfield and backline looked disjointed. Vitinha simply watched Lewandowski cruise past him, allowing Barça to dictate play. Xavi has orchestrated brilliant wins before — from hammering Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to restricting them to a single shot in the Spanish Super Cup. But last summer’s transfers weakened Barça’s core. While João Cancelo and João Félix joined, the departures of Ousmane Dembélé and Sergio Busquets left gaps, especially in high-stakes games. Cancelo, effective against weaker sides, turned into a defensive liability against elite opponents. In fact, during El Clásico, Xavi briefly shifted him to the wing before subbing him out for failing to provide proper coverage.
Despite his age and declining efficiency, Lewandowski still has value in Xavi’s plans — unless Barça secures a better striker. The limited chances given to Vitor Roque are telling. In contrast, Frenkie de Jong’s future appears increasingly uncertain. Though it doesn’t mean Xavi wants to offload him, if a suitable offer arrives, he may not hesitate. Like Cancelo, De Jong thrives against lesser opposition but struggles defensively against top-tier sides.
Many blamed Cancelo for being dribbled past by Lucas Vázquez, but the real issue was deeper. The space on the left had long been a vulnerability. Xavi’s system demands midfielders cover the half-spaces. If De Jong had tracked Luka Modrić more closely, Raphinha and Cancelo could have double-teamed on the flank, avoiding the breakdown entirely.
Ultimately, keeping Xavi is a pivotal step for Barcelona’s future. Whether the club can back him in the transfer market and sign the right players will determine if Barça can return to glory. Under his guidance, La Masia’s young talents won’t go to waste, and youth development remains secure. Still, as Melbet Login analysis suggests, Xavi will need more ready-made, battle-tested players in their prime to fully execute his vision and take Barcelona to the next level.