Xavi approaches Mourinho's defensive miracle
Barca have only conceded 9 goals after 30 rounds of La Liga 2022-2023. If they concede no more than six goals in the remaining eight rounds, Xavi's team will surpass the record of 15 goals conceded by AC Milan in the 1993-1994 Serie A season and Chelsea in the 2004-2005 Premier League season. The people who have led AC Milan and Chelsea these two seasons are two famous defensive coaches, Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho.
If they concede no more than one goal in the remaining eight rounds, Barca will become the best defensive team in the history of European leagues. The record currently belongs to Cagliari with 11 goals conceded in the 1969-1970 Serie A season.
The match against Atletico 1-0 on the evening of April 23 is the 23rd clean sheet match for Barca and goalkeeper Ter Stegen after 30 rounds of La Liga 2022-2023. This achievement equals the record set by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo at Barca in the 2014-2015 season. Ter Stegen has eight games left to break the record.
The record of a goalkeeper conceding the least in a La Liga season with 38 rounds currently belongs to Victor Valdes, who conceded only 16 goals in the 2010-2011 season. If they concede no more than six goals in the remaining eight rounds, Ter Stegen will overtake Valdes.
With nine goals conceded, Barca is the best defensive team in the first 30 rounds of La Liga 2022-2023. The second best defensive team is Atletico with 22 goals conceded.
The match against Atletico at Camp Nou yesterday is considered the biggest challenge for Barca in the last leg of La Liga. But Ferran Torres scored the only goal, helping Barca win 1-0 at Camp Nou. Xavi's teachers and students thus stopped the series of two 0-0 draws, against Girona and Getafe in La Liga, widening the gap with Real to 11 points. Atletico are third with 60 points.
Xavi breathed a sigh of relief after overcoming the most difficult barrier named Atletico. He said: "If we lose, we will close the gap to eight points, so this victory is very important. Overcoming personal problems, we played a good game. Won again after two games. A draw is very important, and this is a step forward for Barca."
The championship is judged within Barca's reach. In the remaining eight rounds, they will meet Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis, Osasuna, Espanyol, Sociedad, Valladolid, Marlloca and Celta Vigo respectively for the rest of the season. La Liga is also the only arena Barca still plays.
However, Barca coach warned the students not to be subjective on the remaining leg. Xavi said: "Nothing has been completed yet, although this victory is very important. At Barca, no one feels like a champion and if anyone is like that, we will tell him that the team is home. Haven't won anything yet."
Despite winning three points and keeping a clean sheet against Atletico, coach 43 complained about the players' finishing ability. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both had clear opportunities but could not capitalize. Xavi thinks that not being able to lead 2-0 against Barca is hard, and calls on his students to save more opportunities in the next matches.
Xavi started to lead Barca from the middle of the 2021-2022 season. As a player, he was known for his passing ability. He contributed 185 assists for Barca, ranked second after Messi with 269 assists. Andres Iniesta ranked third with 141 assists.
This season, Barca won the Spanish Super Cup. They beat Real 3-1 in the final in Saudi Arabia. If he wins more La Liga, Xavi will have a double in his first full season in charge of Barca.
