‘Xavi effect’ is tested in Barça’s match against Villarreal for the Spanish league

Barcelona (7th) visit Villarreal (12th) on Saturday, for the 15th round of the LaLiga, struggling to maintain the ‘Xavi Hernández effect’ in the championship and continue to narrow the gap in relation to the top positions in a competition led by Real Madrid.

The azulgrana team will try to leave behind the stumble of Tuesday against Benfica (0-0) in the Champions League, to try to add their second victory in the Spanish league after the arrival of Xavi Hernández in charge.

The Barça legend made his debut last Saturday ahead of Barça with a 1-0 victory over Espanyol, renewing the hopes and enthusiasm of Barça fans.

The team improved its game, but continues to struggle to score goals, which on Tuesday complicated its qualification for the second phase of the Champions League.

“I see things that are very good, very positive. It gives me the feeling that we can beat anyone. We are Barça. It’s just a question of efficiency,” Xavi said on Tuesday after the draw with Benfica.

Efficiency will arrive

Piqué, for his part, was convinced that “soon it will arrive” that necessary effectiveness for Barça, currently seventh in the Spanish championship.

Ten points behind Real Madrid and six of the places that qualify for the Champions League, Barça can no longer afford to suffer stumbling blocks in LaLiga so as not to lose sight of the ‘merengues’ and other teams.

Real Madrid, who regained the lead last weekend, are “in good momentum”, as their coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday after beating Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 to secure his place in the Round of 16 of the Champions.

This Sunday, the merengue team receives a complicated Sevilla (3rd), which with a victory could overcome it and take the lead.

Real Sociedad (2nd), which visits Espanyol (11th) that same day, also aspires to first place.

Atletico Madrid (4th), which struggled to advance to the second stage of the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Milan on Wednesday, visit Cádiz (16th) in search of the three points that would bring him closer to leadership.

The ‘rojiblanco’ team won’t have an easy life facing a combative Andalusian team, who need to score points to continue distancing themselves from the relegation zone, which is just one point below.