A closer look at a Barcelona superstar – The Xavi turn (Video)
It is hard to believe that Xavi is 33-years-old.
The Barcelona midfielder has been such mainstay in the Catalan’s club starting XI that it is odd to think of it without him.
He has enjoyed magnificent success with the club and his midfield partnership with Andres Iniesta has been integral to Barcelona’s recent glory.
Whilst Iniesta is the more attack minded of the pair, Xavi is the steady beating heartbeat that keeps Barcelona’s passing game ticking. He is so good at his job that you hardly notice him doing it.
Generally, if you are able to win the midfield battle you are more likely to command the game and Xavi’s calm, consistent brilliance in the middle of the pitch is a fine example of excellent midfield play.
What Xavi is able to do so well is recognise where pressure is coming from, turn away from it and fine space to manoeuvre. It may sound simple but in a high tempo game where you have a split second to make a decision, it certainly isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Xavi, like Johan Cruyff, has made it an art form and here is a video showing the little Spanish maestro at his brilliant best.
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