Xavi salutes unsung heroes for team effort as Barcelona swat aside Elche

Xavi highlighted Barcelona’s success as a team effort rather than down to individual performances after a comfortable 4-0 win in LaLiga over Elche.

A Robert Lewandowski double, plus goals for Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, saw the Blaugrana swat aside their rock-bottom hosts at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Against a team who look almost certain to be relegated, there were few doubts about Barca’s superiority.

But Xavi was quick to praise his side’s unsung heroes as much as their headline-makers, stating his belief that it is a balance of both that will bring them the title.

“It has been a rounded night,” he said. “[It was] a very good game, from start to finish. We have a team with players who do not necessarily participate too much.

“[But] they performed at a high level. This is [the definition of] a team. We have taken one more step [towards the championship], we are closer. We have shown that we are a unit.”

14 – Ansu Fati has scored his first goal in @LaLigaEN since October 2022 and has ended his longest streak without scoring in the competition (14 games).

Relief. pic.twitter.com/vt9ThO3JlK

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 1, 2023

The coach highlighted the versatility of several of his players, including Eric Garcia, who played in midfield, and Marcos Alonso, who fulfilled a centre-back role.

On Fati, Xavi was happy to see the player put his off-field distractions behind him, following a week where his father complained about his lack of minutes for the club.

“Ansu made a difference,” he added. “It has left him exhausted, but he has done a great job for the team. His goal comes because of his work ethic and talent.

“He has that, and it will come out. If he continues to work like this, he will end up playing more often.”