Barcelona’s new coach, Xavi Hernandez, has surprised fans and pundits with his unconventional formation of 5 defenders, 3 midfielders, a winger, and a striker. This formation was unveiled during the team’s match against Alavés in the 23rd round of the Spanish League.
The lineup featured Inaki Pena as the goalkeeper, with a defensive line comprising of Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Pau Torres, and Joao Cancelo. The midfield consisted of Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, and Ilkay Gundogan, while Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Pedri formed the attacking trio.
This unorthodox formation raised eyebrows and piqued the interest of many football enthusiasts. Speculations were rife as to how Xavi’s new strategy would play out on the field, particularly with the defensive midfielder Christensen and midfielder Pedri operating on the left.
Barcelona, the reigning champions, currently occupy the fourth position in the league with 47 points, trailing Atletico Madrid by goal difference, while arch-rivals Real Madrid lead the standings with 57 points. On the other hand, Alavés sits in the eleventh position with 26 points.
Overall, Xavi’s innovative approach has generated significant curiosity and debate among football fans and experts, as they eagerly await to see how this unique formation will unfold on the pitch and whether it will lead to success for the Barcelona team.
