Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay netted for the hosts to secure all three points to move back into the fourth spot in the standings.
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Barcelona head coach Xavi was delighted with his side’s performance in the 4-0 win over Athletic Club in the La Liga fixture on Sunday. It was a complete performance from the Catalan club as they dominated throughout the 90 minutes, defended pretty well and didn’t lose their shape while going forward. It was Barca’s third consecutive win in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding just three in those three matches. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay netted for the hosts to secure all three points to move back into the fourth spot in the standings.
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FULL TIME!!!! #BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/6XXNfmTnvH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 27, 2022
According to BarcaTV+, speaking of the performance, Xavi said: “Of course, I was expecting this change because we’ve been working on it for a long time.
“Today it cost us, we scored three goals in the final part of the match, but we were very solid, hardly conceding any chances. Great result, very good feelings and humility.”
Aubameyang netted the opener on 37 minutes before Dembele doubled the lead with a stunning left-foot strike from the left side of the box that smashed into the roof of the net. The Frenchman had an excellent game as he provided the assist from Luuk de Jong to head home and then registered his second assist of the night for Depay to get on the score-sheet.
Aubameyang has now scored five goals in his last three games while Luuk de Jong has also netted five times this season and Depay is their top scorer with nine goals to his name.
Barca attempted a total of 17 chances of which seven were on target. Xavi stressed the fact that his side did well to create so many chances against an Athletic side which is normally tough to break down.
“It has been difficult for us to generate lots of chances. Physically speaking, they’re the rival who have the best data in the category and it’s difficult to score four against them. We have not conceded a goal and, in general, we are happy,” he said.
The Spanish tactician was pleased with his team’s off-the-ball work as they were quick to win back possession and pressed as a unit.
“The defensive line is getting higher because the pressure after possession loss is getting better. These are habits that had been lost.”
After a poor start to the campaign, the Catalan club is slowly finding its feet under Xavi. They are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and are getting stronger after every match. Having accumulated 45 points from 25 games, they are level on points with fifth-placed Atletico Madrid, who have played a game more.
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