Barcelona defender’s three defining attributes impress Xavi, could be a turning point in his career

Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images

FC Barcelona had a convincing 4-0 victory over the bottom-placed Elche last weekend. While the superior quality and form of La Blaugrana meant the victory was never in doubt, it was made even sweeter as the club won the game despite the absence of a number of key players.

Both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri missed the game due to injury, while Sergio Busquets also started the match from the bench. Owing to this shortage of options for the midfield, Xavi opted for an innovative approach, as he fielded Eric Garcia as the team’s defensive midfielder. This innovation more than paid back its dividends.

Passing accuracy:

Garcia’s game was impressive in a number of aspects. Passing has been one of Garcia’s strengths, and it was top-notch in this match as well, as the Catalan completed 51 of his 57 passes. Similarly, while playing in the defensive midfield position for the first time for FC Barcelona, Garcia made the perfect movements to give and receive passes and did not make any wrong moves.

Off-the-ball movement:

Lastly, his off-the-ball work was also excellent. He knew when to press the opposition players and when to keep his position, which provided much-needed defensive stability, composure, and solidity to the team.

Decision making:

His decision-making was also exemplary throughout the entirety of the game, as he knew when to pass, and when to keep the ball a bit longer to open up more dangerous attacking sequences higher up the pitch.

These attributes shown by Eric Garcia mean Barcelona have another option to rely upon when they are feeling thin in the midfield. Xavi himself praised the player in his post-game comments, and this game could prove to be the turning point for Garcia’s career in FC Barcelona, which has been turbulent at best till now.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

The Latest

The possible relation between Alba’s departure and Messi’s arrival at Barcelona

While arrivals remain a major concern at FC Barcelona, departures remain just as integral in ensuring financial balances are maintained. In the most recent...

Jordi Alba decides to leave Barcelona, also agrees to forego massive proportion of salary – report

In a season that was meant to be considered the rebirth of a new generation for FC Barcelona, there have been many old feathers...

Barcelona director comments on Jules Kounde’s situation – report

FC Barcelona have won the league title after several seasons, and the team's defense played a central part in this achievement. However, there are...

La Masia graduate makes La Liga debut, had to suffer a 3-1 defeat

The last La Liga match against Real Valladolid saw a number of changes in the FC Barcelona team. Xavi Hernandez took this match as...

The list of six priority signings of Barcelona in the summer – report

As the end of the season and the beginning of the summer transfer window approaches, the workload at the offices of FC Barcelona is...

Xavi not willing to let star defender leave Barcelona – report

One of the best aspects of this current iteration of FC Barcelona this season was their defense and their brilliant defensive record. Xavi's men...

Barcelona midfield target rejects Arsenal offer amidst interest from the Catalan club – report

The summer transfer window is well and truly on its way, and while it is still early days, FC Barcelona have begun to make...

Three Barcelona youngsters could be involved in a deal to sign Xavi’s preferred midfielder – report

With Sergio Busquets' departure from the club confirmed FC Barcelona are looking for his possible replacements in the upcoming summer transfer window. One of...

Barcelona loanee reveals his next potential destination

Samuel Umtiti was one of the key components of the FC Barcelona squad during the 2016-17 and the 2017-18 seasons. However, having seen his...