Storm Gavi / Spanish Super Cup / Final / Real Madrid-FC Barcelona (1-3) / SOFOOT.com

He is 18 years old, scream “Come on! ” when he scored against Real Madrid and had one goal and two assists in the final, but it wasn’t Kylian Mbappé. Clasico MVP trophy under his arm, Gavi poses proudly beside the Super Cup, after laying down a 90-minute classic on the grounds of the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. XXL’s performance from the middle of 73 meters that gave Xavi his first title as coach of FC Barcelona, ​​​​​​but also allowed him to fill a trophy cabinet, filled so far only with individual distinctions. He who only knows the main team of FC Barcelona without Lionel Messi and all kinds of cups, made Joan Laporta dream today, who saw himself and his friends “a generation of great players” who left “bringing joy back to Barcelona” .

Barça’s trap card

A different player from Barça who is looking to dilute his sometimes sterile passing game to make the difference in transitions, Gavi was devastating this Sunday against Real Madrid, going the distance and chaining calls on depth like a modern winger. All while bringing extra points into midfield if necessary or creating space for Pedri or Robert Lewandowski. Blame was on the system of play revamped especially for this Clasico by Xavi, leaving Ousmane Dembélé in the limelight on the right flank. At his side in a 4-2-3-1, Gavi took all the light at the slightest transition blaugran and at the same time exposed the weaknesses of the unbalanced Madrid midfielder without Aurélien Tchouaméni, when Eduardo Camavinga lost the ball after Gavi’s goal due to a poor cross from Antonio Rüdiger, and the lack of concerted action from the madridian defenders at bay, when Dani Carvajal and Militão charged at Frenkie de Jong and left a decent boulevard for the Ramblas at stir number 30, who would later find Robert Lewandowski.

Gavi for Pedri! This is Barca’s third goal! #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/l2OrmG17cd

— L’Équipe chain (@lacainelequipe) January 15, 2023

A decisive goal-scorer and passer in the first half, Gavi did it again by recovering a poorly-judged cross from Dani Ceballos before sending hard at the far post for Pedri. Freed of his defensive obligations thanks to the double pivot set up by Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong and in a hybrid position similar to that occupied by Andrés Iniesta on his debut, he is the Barça player who created the most chances against Real. Although Robert Lewandowski has been very impressive in defence meringues. “Before the game, I told Gavi to stay close to meconfided in the Polish striker at the end of the match. I know we can do good things together. » A goal and two assists later, he’s the one we find on 76^e minutes of pressing Marco Asensio projected himself behind, without being followed by his team-mates who were getting tired.

“On the pitch, he put soul, heart and character which he instilled and gave to the whole team. And at only 18 years old, he has innate leadership abilities, courage and anger built into him. I can’t praise him enough. Most importantly, it doesn’t stop, it has no limits. »
Xavi, a Gavi fan

captain mentality

“Gavi is a beastcomments captain Sergio Busquets into the Movistar microphone at the end of the meeting. At this age, the majority of players are still in the lower category. He has a great future, I hope he will mark Barça’s history. » In the press conference, Xavi said to himself “moved” by Gavi, who just broke his record as the youngest ever goalscorer in the Spanish Super Cup at the age of 18 years and 163 days. “On the pitch, he put soul, heart and character which he instilled and gave to the whole team.continued Xavi. And at only 18 years old, he has innate leadership abilities, courage and anger built into him. I can’t praise him enough. Most importantly, it doesn’t stop, it has no limits. » However, Gavi’s golden night will end in an area where La Masia residents since they were 11 years old lacked: press conferences. Having difficulty sitting still in his chair, he avoided questions about his personal success, preferring instead to speak of collective success thanks to his coach and smiling again as he left the room, saying: “It’s a final and a Clásico against Madrid, so yes we will celebrate to the fullest. » Barcelona arguably holds their best number 30 since a certain Lionel Messi.

by Anna Careau