Five points about Elche 1:2 Barcelona

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Barcelona’s victory over Elche extended the team’s La Liga unbeaten streak to 11 games under Xavi and saw the Catalan giants finish third in the table.

Atlético Madrid’s victory over Betis later that day ensured that Xavi’s team would also stay there, level on points with the defending champions but with a game in hand.

Until a few months ago, a top four seemed unlikely, but now he’s in Barça’s safe hands, and second-placed Sevilla can just look over their shoulder too.

Julen Lopetegui’s side are still seven points ahead of Barça but have played a game more and in less than a month the two teams will face off in La Liga at the Camp Nou.

Barça had to come from behind to score all three points after Elche jumped on Pedri’s mistake to open the scoring thanks to Fidel Chávez shortly before half-time.

The hosts were unbeaten at home under Francisco and created problems for Barcelona, ​​especially on the right flank, where Dani Alves was aimed.

The 38-year-old Brazilian was making good progress (creating two chances, converting 91% of his passes), but at times struggled to keep up when Elche attacked at high speed.

Elche - FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

Photo: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Eventually Xavi brought Sergino Desta out for the last few minutes, but you got the impression that the American in good shape should probably have entered the field a little earlier.

Dest will play against Galatasaray from the start on Thursday in the Europa League and will get another chance to claim more minutes.

Alves appears to have cemented his place in the starting XI, but Dest’s improvement means there is now real competition for the right-back spot, which can only be a good thing.

Elche - FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images

Another player who enjoys life under Xavi is Ronald Araujo. The central defender is clearly improving his ball possession and now wants to attack from behind.

Araujo’s ability as a defender was never in doubt, but if there was a weakness in his game, it was his inability or unwillingness to get the ball out of defense.

This seems to be something Xavi has been working on and he spoke out about the Uruguayan after the match, praising him.

“Perhaps Araujo is the player who has improved the most since I took over, especially with the ball, because he takes risks. He rides with the ball. Today he was a free man,” he said. “There were times when he was a forward midfielder. He has changed the way we play, which we demand, and is gaining weight in the team. Without the ball he is one of the best in the world, with the ball he needed to improve. It’s very important for him and the team.”

Meanwhile, rumors about Araujo’s future continue to circulate. The defender is reportedly in talks to extend his contract and let’s hope Barça can close a deal quickly.

Newcomer Ferran Torres remained on the bench against Elche but came on as a half-time substitute for Gavi, who had an unusually inefficient first half on the left side of the attack and helped turn the tide.

Ferrana’s equalizer wasn’t the most beautiful goal he’s ever scored, but it was hugely important and helped Barca to victory. It was also the 22-year-old’s first La Liga goal for Barcelona.

There should have been a few more, but Ferran was hampered by a combination of a bad conversion and a great save by Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia. Torres may disappoint in front of the net, but it’s definitely not luck that he’s in the right positions and has so many chances.

Barça had to work hard to beat Elche and you really got the feeling that this was a game they would have lost a few months ago, but they also owed the win to their substitutes.

Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay came off the bench last weekend to secure a victory against Athletic and it was similar this time as the goals came from the bench.

The Catalans had a hard time playing against Francisco’s side but had the opportunity to take on Ferran, Nico González, Adama Traore, Memphis and Dest in the second half.

We all know that the January acquisitions gave Barcelona a new boost, but Xavi now really has a choice, especially in attack. Martin Braithwaite didn’t even make it into the line-up, and in-form Luuk de Jong didn’t get a minute.

Memphis did just that and offered another reminder that he could still be useful. The Dutchman scored after his return from injury last time and did it again here. His penalty to win the game for Barça was skilfully converted for his 10th time of the season.

New arrivals in the winter transfer window have already fueled speculation that Memphis could leave at the end of the season. However, the Dutchman remains Barça’s top scorer this season and at least proves to be a worthy option to find himself on the bench.