Xavi • Changing his position at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola's tactics and the third man • Masterclass
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0:14 - Intro
0:23 - His change of position
3:12 - Taking responsibility in a more attacking role
7:44 - The third man
In his second exclusive Masterclass with The Coaches’ Voice, filmed in October 2021, the Barcelona legend looks back on his playing career with the Catalan giants and explains the concept of the third-man run that has been so central to the club’s playing philosophy during a sustained spell of remarkable success.
Having started out as a traditional deep-lying midfielder, Xavi ultimately moved forward to play as a more advanced number eight in a 4-3-3 shape, or even at times a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1. In what is a truly fascinating feature with one of football’s most intelligent minds, he reveals the influence that coaches, including former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard, had on his career-defining change of position - and explains how he had to adapt his own style to become more effective in an area of more creative responsibility.
Xavi, who became Barcelona head coach in November 2021, then goes on to discuss the concept of the third-man run, which coaches including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have used to such effect at the club. He talks about how the Barcelona teams in which he played employed third-man and even fourth-man runs, and how Lionel Messi in particular was used as a focal point in the team’s attacking play.
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#Xavi #FCBarcelona #Masterclass
Yesterday's match of Barça vs. Atléti is a clear indication that with the right players and the right mentality, Xavi can achieve wonders at Barça.
I like his football ambition.
He already achieved wonders at Barcelona. He's my favourite player of all time
Ikr, Beating Atletico Madrid 4-2... with how Barca have been they could have been smashed 5-0
*Atlético
I still thinks he has a lot to prove because atlético is very bad this year especially Oblak who is having his worst year ever I think their game against Napoli and the next El Classico will be a better indication of his level
"Logically, I was neiher fast, nor skillful, nor strong" -Says one of the best midfielders in football history.
What makes football so fascinating. You don’t have to be the most athletic to have an enormous influence on a game. The brain is more important than physical prowess.
@@totalbodyperformancefitnes4813 That's not true, you definitively need a good fit form and a high endurance to play football. The true magic about football is, any body type is viable to reach the stars if you know which are your weapons and your flaws.
@@perrymanso6841 he said most athletic...they are many top athletic players but fail because they don't have good footballing IQ
He won't make in England because english football values more physical prowess over anything.
@@perrymanso6841 endurance and resistance are completely different from being explosive (fast, strong and agile) They work with two different kinds of muscle fibers
This man is destined for greatness, he’s instilling Barça values to this young, inexperienced Barça side. Can’t wait to see where he brings them Total football
Bro I just can't wait imagine a more mature squad with these kids right now? Ufff Gavi, Pedri, Nico, Araujo, Ansu, Ferran and possibly Haaland? What a team oh my god.
@@sunn000 I can tell you Haaland would rather hurt what Barca's been building up the last few years than support it further. He is too much of a star. What someone like Xavi needs is a squad that is way more humble than Barca used to be in the last 7 years. Ambitioned, tactically brilliant, a good mix between young and experienced players and a certain level of confidence. I think Barca's current squad is on a good way. The only thing thing that could stop them from climbing to the top of Europa's elite teams would be a Pedri injury (definetely a key player for the future, sort of the next Iniesta), a need to sell too many gifted players like Fati, Nico, Puig or Araujo or their dept. They need to ged rid of players like Griezmann, Dembele or Coutinho which just eat up more money without helping the team
@@dontmindme6995 draw, too long
@@dontmindme6995 Dembele is actually doing better under Xavi now. Xavi has always stressed how important Dembele was to his plans in Barca. Coutinho does better only when he is playing for a club that is not Barca lol
Ages good
Back when Barça was made of geniuses, now he is bringing it back.
Bringing back what?
@@ja586 the geniuse gameplay of barca.
@@ja586 he is bringing a partial form of total football to barcelona. Which is making these players thrive. Usually of it is executed well with good players it works beautifully. Klopp has built his whole career on total football and out running the opponent
The amount of knowledge this man has of the game is unreal
honestly you're not wrong but it's not like he dropped some jewels here. It's just that we're used to coaches not talking about football, but about some player scandal, transfer rumor, etc. But I'm sure the vast majority of coaches could explain these concepts.
The real gems are what he learned in the games he lost with Barcelona. What they did wrong and how to improve on those factors and strategies in case they experience a mimetic scenario. Xavi should analyze the times Barcelona faced off with Bayern Munich, perhaps then he’ll decipher a practical method to defend and attack against their greatest opponents in the neo-era of Catalonian football.
@@Yarblocosifilitico well now he dropped some jewels mate…..
Xavi explaining tactics is as entertaining as watching a complete football match
This is what press conferences should be like... The way Bielsa and 'crazy ones' like him like to do it. To talk about FOOTBALL, not about everything that SURROUNDS football.
Those reporters dont care abt tactics they want to create controversy
would be a dream come true. We in germany had Jürgen Klopp as a co-moderator for the wm 2006 and it was so much fun to listen to an analysis by a moderator that actually understand football
Recently Xavi got asked if Mbappe was the best player in the world... In the press conference that was for Valencia - Barça.. Spanish media sucks !
Just imagine being the opposite team and in the tunnel you see Xavi Iniesta Thierry Henry Ronaldinho Samuel eto'o and Leo Messi arriving 😂😂😂
that's like 6 level 100 players grinding down at lower levels location.
Those same players were applauding RM for wining La Liga back before Guardiola Arrived.. it's not the star players that make a team, is the style of play and a clear idea of how to apply it on the field with a good coach that make a great team.
all those 6 players played together for only 1 season (2007/08) and Barca won nothing in that season
Henry and Ronaldinho never played at the same time, but yeah, It had to be scary.
@@perrymanso6841 Where did you get that fact lol? They did play together. Sadly at that time both past their best days.
Getting Xavi speaking on a free is the biggest steal ever!!! Grande Xavi Grande Barcelona 😻🤎
Barca paid around 2-5m for his release
@@ibraheemahsan7535 He means that we get to listen to him speak for free in KZhead. Not that Barca got him for free.
Who is here after 3 weeks after Barca not losing a single match in their last month games and scoring 19 goals in the process , World-class Xavi
Meee 4;0 barca real madrid
The last 5 minutes of this video is why I fell in love with this club since 2008 and all the kids aspiring to be a football player should see this. This is why Barca became so successful. All these players - Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, they're not good physically but this style of football, if followed and executed properly, will win you Championships. At Barca academy, these are taught from a very young age and when they grow up, this style becomes a fundamental part of their game. This is why it's called the Barca DNA.
2003 for me. DNA been in the club for ages.
whats sad is that xavi said that when he came to coach barca, no one knew what third man means (except for busquets obviously), barca completly lost their DNA, its crazy how we thought we were good in 2017-2019.
Technique >>>>> physicality ,one of the few reasons why prem is not the best league in the world.
@@ibrahimghadie6412 Messi carried us all those yrs that’s why the flaws were covered but I never even like the way we played when Messi was here, we couldn’t dominate the ball when Valverde was here or Sieten or koeman but Xavi different
@@mohammedashiq084 It is still the more exciting. Watching avergae players trying to break the opponent defence in whatever way they can is much more enjoyable than watching Barca passing for more than 80% of the match and only scored with Messi, or opponents made a mistake. MSN and Galacticos made it more exciting later but quite unfair to get all that talents in one team. In the prem, I would root for any team playing against the oil clubs and Manu, and their work rates paid off but in the Spanish league, even if any team trying harder to beat the top 3, I don' t understand or care enough about tactics to understand how they are doing it. In the Prem, even Mourinho bus gave me sth to hate-watch.
Best positional orientated player in history.
The 3rd man vision was in full effect during Barcelona VS Valencia 4-1 when Aubameyang and F. De Jong scored 💯💯💯
Yup was thinking the same thing man. Finding dembele making that exact fourth man run he mentions cutting in from the right while the fullback was watching the game and all he has to do is square it on the half volley to Frenkie. Unreal stuff when you see tactics play out like that in a game.
I believe Xavi is EXACTLY what Barça needs to get back on track, after severe mismanagement for years now. And if Xabi Alonso ends up managing RM, well, that could be the stuff of legends!
damnnnn i'd love xavi vs xabi alonso would be insane never thought of that
Let's hope Things don't get ugly again lol
Alonso was exceptional. But Xavi is on another league.
I think Raul will be first in line, after that maybe Alonso
+ haaland vs mbappe el clasico will be the most exciting match once again
His managing style is more like Cruyff rather than Pep
Fundamentally, the base is and always will be Cryuff style, that's the Barca DNA that'll never change. But as the coaches grow and because of the environment and players around them, their tactics always change. There was no false 9 before Guardiola. He invented it because only Messi could handle it at that time. And I am so excited to see a future master coach Xavi in the making. He's going to be just as successful as Pep.
Exactly, with the long passes and fast wingers.
How so?
How is that?
Explain ?
Hearing Xavi talk about tactics and positioning it reminds me of Pep! So happy he’s back at Barca and I hope good things come to him! Amazing manager
Xavi's giving masterclasses as a coach and as a youtuber
He sounds very clear and intelligent man. He is like a math teacher. I wish the best for Xavi and Barcelona.
If you guys could get Andrea Pirlo and have him share his vision about football and tactics that would definitely be another hit..
This shows exactly why xavi wanted morata in barcelona as he is an excellent third man and can play with his back to goal. What a fantastic representation.
Ferran can do that No need of morrata for that
Also, raises the question whether Haaland would even be a great signing for barca
I agree with u but you mean that Morata would be a good "2nd man", who receives frontally from defense(1st man) and pass to the "3rd man" (who is midfielder like gavi or nico)
Yesterday's match of barca vs atleti was a very clear example of these tactics, as we saw xavi using gavi as the fourth man in midfield and accommodating de jong, busquets, pedri and gavi in the midfield
Iñaki Saez has been the key for the growth of so many great Spanish players. So underrated coach.
Rinus Michels->Johan Cruyff Johan Cruyff->Frank Rijkaard Frank Rijkaard->Pep Guardiola Pep Guardiola->Tito Vilanova Tito Vilanova->Luis Enrique Luis Enrique->Xavi Hernandez Seems only fair.
Insanely detailed... My brother watched this being a footballer and started playing on hole positions... Never left starting 11 since Masterclass I
Really? this is awesome! I hope your brother can have a great success!!
What a legend i swear just hearing him talk about his role makes me want to see him back as a player.
This for me is ULTIMATE football content. I could keep listening to Xavi talk about football and I'd be tirelessly fascinated.
After El Classico, I COMPLETELY understand every little details he had explained. Literally everything.
This man is changed a Barca into a team to watch and a threat! The way he explains his tactics is beautiful!
Watching Xavi Hernandez play in that magical Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola changed my understanding of football
This is the Johan Cruyff way of playing! ⚽💯👌 But of course Pep Guardiola was a student/protégé of Johan Cruyff and Cruyff started implementing that style of playing in Barca's youth department decades ago.
1:02 That right there is a humble man. Xavi himself doesn't know how good he was.
2:11 goes to show that being uncomfortable isn’t always a bad thing. It promotes growth so to speak. I can’t wait to see where Xavi takes Barca in the coming seasons.
I've never seen or heard a English/British person talking about football in this manner
Sean dyche
That's why English clubs spend big money about foreign players and coaches. English footballers only focus about intensity and running.
Him saying that he hears something in the club since 12 years old is message to all teams across the world, same way of playing, DNA in all of categories U-20, U-17 and youngers.
Not sure if it's just me but listening to him talking makes me so calm and reassured, something about the clarity with which he speaks and his delivery he sounds so truthful and intelligent too.. As a Barça fan I couldn't be happier about him leading our team. Am I alone in this?
He has a lot to share with Pedri to take over "his role". And, from what he is saying, then the best person I see right now for Busi, is actually Nico. De Jong actually wont work there, he doesn't think as fast to be decisive in that position, that y he is best in a double pivot. Nico has the strength and intelligence for it.
He literally just said you can't be decisive from the Busi role that's why his game changed when he was moved higher, like Kante's game changed when Sarri moved him higher. Young is perfect for the Busi role, Pedri and Gavi fit well for the 2 box to box 8 with Torres, Auba/Delay and Traore as the front 3. The fullbacks will become inverted so when Pedri and Gavi push high, they'll join Young in midfield to make it 235/325.
Maybe we could see an altercation of the system to fit de Jong in from Xavi..cuz he was very good against atleti. That de Jong alba and gavi triangle was very good in combining. Either way I am not complaining, our midfield has good depth
Don’t sleep on De Jong, He can improve, has lot of stamina and strenght for 1-2 and be decisive. but I see him more like a Gardiola, passing and covering the defense
Gavi too. They are both pretty similar. Hopefully Gavi will get more playtime on the mid than out on the flank once we got wingers. Pedri to me feels more like a iniesta with his silky smooth touch and amazing technique on the ball. Gavi feels more like the player that will really control our midfield's pace eventually and he got the gas tank for it too.
THIS MAN IS KNOWLEDGE
Who's here after REAL MADRID 0-4 BARCELONA?!
De Jong´s goal vs Valencia seems to come out of this talk, crazy
Here after the 4-0 against Real he's been a godsend.
He said it! He said the line!
Yes referring to? Cuz he said many stuff
Can you tell me what you mean?
??
Xavi understands the use of space to mentally sabotage his opponents into doing what he wants. Genius
The fact that he says that it's very difficult to be decisive from the pivot position makes me appreciate players like Pirlo even more becuz that man was a proper playmaker playing in a defensive midfield position and he could boss any opponents from such a deep position. LEGEND...
He was a Regista not a DM.
Xavi literally schooled Pirlo in that WC finals tho and I think this video explains why a little bit.
What a treasure to get inside the mind of Xavi! I am very excited for Barca's future and what the talented young core could learn from this man.
Masterclass indeed
Watching this after beating both madrids shows he knows his SHIT 🔥
He’s so passionate
Here after the bilbao game
Any footballer in the world can become so much better through learning these master classes. It’s amazing, thank you
Watching this after El Clasico. Xavi is a mastermind as a coach. Mirar esto después del Clásico. Xavi es una mente maestra como entrenador. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
If Xavi 'wasn't skillful' then we're all doomed 😂😂
Love the insight and love seeing Barca look like a Barca team again. Seeing movement and bravery on the ball
I could listen to Xavi talk about futbol for hours
This is an absolutely cracking video. So much of what we know is the essence of Barca's play is broken down into bite-sized pieces, and done so quite eloquently and easy to understand. All about numbers and how to put the opponents on the back foot. Commonly mistaken for just a bunch of stars on the field, but there has to be more than that. Xavi's mind clearly is in the right place and he knows what he's doing. Now let's see what he can make of this generation of Barca players!
Xavi is a younger pep in the making. His football brain is unreal. It goes to show you if you have the eye to see the game, strong work ethic and a magic touch on the ball you can play in almost any team. Maybe even make a even better manager
He's such a humble man. Has no idea he's the gold standard for attacking midfielders around the world.
FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid Xavi you are a football genius for getting a team in shambles back on track.
could listen to this man for hours
Xavi gets a part 2 brother that's when you know this man has greatness written all over him.
Very difficult to be decisive giving assists and scoring goals from the pivot position that's why Busquets is so underrated
The team that created the most number of footballing geniuses ❤️💙
love it, straight to the point. I think he can be an even better coach than Guardiola. same passion, same obsession, same knoledge but a bit more confortable with the communication with the players. We will see, Pep is still the best now.
Xavis brain sees football so clearly I can’t wait to see what our team will play like once he gets all the signings he wants
I'm here after Xavi's master class yesterday against Real Madrid. He is the Guardiola's successor at barsa.
He was a master at midfield, and he is going to be just as highly regarded as Pep was as the head coach at Barca. I just hope they can get Messi back before his playing days are over to see them reunite.
What an interview! I usually watch a video thinking of the next, but I felt completely immersed in this one. Xavi is a master! Thank you @TheCoachesVoice
It’s actually so dope man I could Listen to him all day long
Consider interviewing Ivan Vucomanovic, head coach of Kerala Blasters, playing in Indian super league. The team finished in the bottom table in the previous seasons and after his arrival the team is fighting for the top4 even though it's the team which almost totally invested in developmental players U23.
Pep's tactics were so intriguing. And god what a team they had
it would be nice to have a long talk with xavi about football…I think in one hour I would benefit more than years of training
I don’t speak Spanish but I can understand whatever this man is saying Without seeing the subtitles.
Thanku KZhead for suggesting me this video out of nowhere 🙏🙏
Gotta say, im not a barca fan, and never Will be. But I got huge amounts of respect for them, and especially this guy. 👏🏼 One of the best ever, and so inspiring. Would love to watch a movie/documentary about him some time. 🤙🏼
He is a perfectionist like pep. We need such coach to achieve the next greatness
I could listen to this all day
We are coming back, we have Xavi, we have our youngstars, we have our players, we have us, the fans to keep supporting and cheering for Barca no matter what happens 💙❤
Barça vs Atléti is a clear example of those principles !
Best use of my youtube premium till date. What insights and what knowledge.
Need Masterclass III
AMAZING VIDEO! A bit different than the usual ones I see! INCREDIBLE JOB! covering the basics and explaining them with a lot of examples! BRAVO
The Catalan Kings are back . Europe will be ruled by Barca again . #forcabarca . More than just a club . Love from INDIA 💙♥️ .
One of my favourite midfielders after Guadiola. Good to see him thrive as a coach as well, just like Pep did.
The second goal in the 4:1 against Valencia was a perfect execution of the "fourth man"
The Midfield Maestro, Midfield Genius, tactically in-depth as well Barca in good hand
After yesterday match that clearly shows that he is capable for the job Barca just need new defenders
Barça has one of the best central defenders duet of Europe. Defense problem is on the sides.
I can hear him talk about football for a month straight and I wouldn't be bored at all.
I just found this channel and I'm very happy for this! thanks for create this content
This is way more entertaining than press conferences
0-4 yessssssssssir we back
Grande Xavi ! Impresionante explicación.
Time to bump this after the magical performance in the Clasico ✨
One of the greatest footballers of all time says “I was neither fast, nor skillful, nor strong”.
I could watch this man speaking all day.
What a brilliant, concise analysis
Top analysis of soccer tactics and on-the-field positioning.
i could listen to xavi speak about the beautiful game all day i swear
i find it fascinating how just putting a player in a position where his body shape is usually slightly different than in other positions gives a player much more success. and to identify these things... i really learn a lot from watching these.
It's amazing to see that one of the greatest players in the history of the game has such humility. Rare to see that in today's group of players.
This shows how well he understands football. Unreal!
Que bien explico el juego Xavi... increíble. Sencilla la explicación que cualquier persona no fanática puede entender. Maestro🙇🏾♂️
Amazing how he mentions just a slight difference in positioning makes a HUGE impact in your performance and effectiveness. One of the reasons I always felt Coutinho and Griezmann never did well in Barcelona for exactly that reason.