Global press single out Xavi: “His tactics are holding Barça back”

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez cut a dejected figure as he spoke to the press after the 4-1 Super Cup defeat at the hands of Real Madrid with Vinicius Jr. bagging a hat-trick for Carlo Ancelotti’s men in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

The side from the capital were dominant in every department and the coach from Terrassa admitted that he was disappointed and frustrated as both a Culé and as coach and stated that was not the type of game we wanted for a final. “It’s a tough defeat but there’s still a long season to go. We have three titles to compete for. It’s a tough blow for the club and the players, but we’ll be back”.

The global press were less forgiving singling out the 43-year-old’s tactics as one of the reasons for Barcelona’s downfall in Riyadh.

L’Equipe (France)

“Madrid prevail against overwhelmed and disorganized Barça”

“Led by their Brazilians and with a hat-trick from Vinicius, Real Madrid beat an overwhelmed and disorganized Barça weighed down by their defensive errors and Xavi’s suicidal tactics in the Spanish Super Cup final. The coach had asked his players to defend high and was punished by Rodrygo’s speed with Vinicius aslo making the coach from Terrassa pay for his game plan with the former Flamengo player bagging a brace within just 12 minutes”.

A Bola (Portugal)

“Vinicius fires Madrid to Super Cup win”

“The final of the 2024 Spanish Super Cup was undoubtedly marked by Vinicius Jr.’s three first half goals as the 23-year-old striker became the first Brazilian to score a hat-trick in a Clásico in the 21st century with the last coming from Romario, at Barcelona, just over 30 years ago, on January 8, 1994.

Daily Mail

“A miserable result for Xavi and Barça”

“Real Madrid’s win in Riyadh will now provoke serious soul-searching for Barça coach Xavi Hernandez as his side were outclassed with the result leaving Xavi clinging to his position as Barcelona coach. Vinicus was the star of the show with a first half hat-trick and Barça’s defenders, Ronald Araujo in particular, will have nightmares for the next few weeks.”

Globoesporte (Brazil)

“Vinicius reigns supreme”

“Real Madrid lifted their thirteenth Spanish Super Cup on Sunday night with Vinicius and Rodrygo on target for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The brief glimmer of hope for Barcelona came from a sweet strike from Lewandowski but the result now heaps more pressure on Xavi Hernandez with new signing Vítor Roque failing to secure any playing time in the Riyadh final.”

Olé (Argentina)

“Madrid sweep Barcelona aside”

“Real Madrid were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions on Sunday night with Vinicius bagging a hat-trick before Rodrygo scored the fourth. Lewandowski scored the only goal for Barcelona on a night to forget for the Catalan side. Real Madrid flew out of the blocks and were two up after twelve minutes as Barça struggled in every department and the nature of the defeat sees calls for Xavi’s dismissal get louder.