The Two Important Questions Xavi Hernandez Asked His FC Barcelona Players When Taking Over

That Xavi Hernandez has completely reversed FC Barcelona’s fortunes since taking over from Ronald Koeman as head coach in November is clear for all to see.

The Blaugrana faced one of their toughest tests yet in Frankfurt last night against a young, fast and game Eintracht outfit in their Europa League quarter-final first leg tie. But the way Barca fought back against their hosts after going a goal down, to later equalize through Ferran Torres around 25 minutes from time, was testament to the fighting spirit that the club’s second all-time appearances leader has instilled into his men.

And as revealed by SPORT on Friday morning, all this – which includes launching the Catalans from ninth when he took over to now second behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga – wouldn’t have been possible without two questions Xavi asked his charges when taking over the reins.

The first was, “are you willing to run for the team?” and the second was “are you willing to enter [the match] in the 92nd minute?”.

The attitude of the players since Xavi took command of a flailing outfit and revitalized it to become one of Europe’s most exciting sides to watch shows that yes, Barca’s stars are more than prepared to do these things.

Though they weren’t brought on as late as the quoted time, previous starting players Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele were introduced half an hour earlier in the 62nd minute at the Deutsche Bank Park without fuss and immediately turned the game on its head.

Just four minutes later, the Frenchman and the Dutchman combined for Ferran Torres’ leveler in a move that Dembele started and De Jong threaded through with the Spain international with a slick exchange of one-two passing in the Frankfurt box.

“It was a great goal, pure talent from the players: Ousmane, Frenkie, Ferran. I insist, I’m satisfied with the result because it was a very difficult ground and opponent to face,” Xavi later remarked.

SPORT also note that there were “no negative responses” to Xavi’s original proposal, which was his “first big victory because he had achieved the inescapable commitment of the entire squad”.

“Not everything is about tactics in the work that he is doing with his team in the Blaugrana entity,” the paper adds.

Following a fortnight’s rest after a stunning 4-0 win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in El Clasico, Barca are now at the business end of their season and will need every single squad member at their disposal to head through a difficult run of games and finish 2021/2022 in the best possible fashion.