How Xavi Hernandez Will Reward FC Barcelona Team If They Beat Sevilla

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has issued a challenge to the first team and will reward them if they beat Sevilla at Camp Nou on Sunday.

With bitter rivals Real Madrid taking on Mallorca some seven hours earlier, it is likely that Los Blancos will have reduced the Catalans’ lead to just two points at the La Liga summit before they take to the field at 21.00 local time.

If they come out on top, however, against 13th-placed opposition who are in a relegation fight despite their lower-mid table position, Xavi will allow his troops to take two days’ rest ahead of returning to training on Thursday.

Should they fail, however, it will be back to work on Wednesday with next weekend’s trip to Villarreal on the horizon.

This information has been relayed by AS in Spain, who point out that these sorts of challenges have become common since Xavi took over the helm in November 2021.

They are usually related to extra rest days, though the legendary midfielder has often tied them to lunch or dinner being on him as seen in the recent FC Barcelona: A New Era documentary released by AmazonAMZN
late last year.

Xavi is right to motivate his players in this way. It can make their hard work feel valued, and by taking them out on his tab on occasion, team chemistry and bonding is also improved and his stars will feel that he is one of them.

This kind of management has been key to Barca winning their first piece of silverware under Xavi – when they beat Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January – and achieving their first mid-season 50-point tally since 2018.

Barca are on course for a record-breaking 100-point campaign which only two other teams – Barca in 2012/2013 and Real Madrid in 2011/2012 – have notched in the history of the Spanish top flight on their way to the title.

In order to do this, the Blaugrana must replicate their current record of 16 wins, two draws and a loss while also keeping their stingy defense that has conceded a mere six goals tight.