FC Barcelona around Aubameyang and Co. outclassed Real Madrid in the Clásico – three reasons for the Barça turnaround

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grinned broadly as he greeted his team-mates after the final whistle.

“It’s a perfect night. I was amazed at how we played in the first half. It was a spectacular level that showed what we’re capable of,” said centre-back Eric García. Captain Sergio Busquets added: “We could have scored a lot more goals. We’re to be reckoned with again.”

Barça still on the ground a few months ago

It wasn’t that long ago that nothing went right at FC Barcelona.

From that historical low point (first elimination of the preliminary round in the premier class in 21 years), things should go steadily uphill under the new strong man on the sidelines.

Xavi breathes new life into Barça

In the following 20 games, the Catalans suffered only two defeats in all competitions under the aegis of Xavi – none of them in regular time (2:3 aet in the Supercup against Real Madrid and in the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao). Barça are currently unbeaten in a whopping 12 games.

“I am very happy for the players. Some of them have gone through a difficult period in their careers. They have been criticized and judged. They have shown that they have personality, that they are brave and that is the path on which we can make progress”, Xavi stated after the triumph in the Clásico.

The former midfielder is undoubtedly one of the main reasons behind the rise of the 26-time Spanish champions, as well Football expert Andres Weiss from Eurosport in Madrid stressed: “The new style of play that Xavi instilled in his team is the reason why Barça are currently playing so outstandingly and even beating teams like Real or Atlético. He has improved the team by focusing on counter-pressing. They put a lot of pressure on opponents and are very dangerous on the break.”

Aubameyang and Co. hit the ground running

This danger comes from the new attacking trio of Aubameyang (Arsenal FC), Ferran Torres (Manchester City) and Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers), who found their way to Barcelona in the winter.

Torres (six goals, five assists) and Aubameyang (nine goals, one assist) in particular made an immediate impact and noticeably revived the offensive after the departure of club icon Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain).

Against Real Madrid it was ex-BVB striker Aubameyang who almost single-handedly led the Xavi team to a prestigious victory with a brace (29th/51st) and an assist for Torres (47th).

Only in the interim 2-0 by Ronald Araújo (38th) did the Gabon player not have his feet in the game. On the other hand, Ousmané Dembélé, who provided assists, went on the hunt for goals with Aubameyang in Dortmund in the 2016/17 season.

Return of Pedri and Dembélé as trumps

Speaking of Dembéle, the French world champion, who has been booed at times by his own fans in the recent past, is thriving after recovering from injuries (knee and thigh) that kept him out of action for much of the first half of the season and advanced to seven assists to become the best assist provider in the 2022 calendar year within the five top European leagues.

“The league [zu gewinnen] It will be difficult, but dreams are free,” philosophized Dani Alves after the Clásico. Admittedly, a quite ambitious undertaking with a twelve-point deficit to leaders Real and only one game less on the account.

Nevertheless, the statement shows that just five months after the low point, Barça has regained its self-image. Or as Gerard Piqué put it on Twitter: “We’re back.”