Bayern manager sees Pep Guardiola influence in Xavi’s Barça | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez faces his biggest test as manager later tonight when the Catalan giants take on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Group E clash.

Barca are in need of a victory to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. But getting three points at the Allianz Arena, against a team that has not lost in Europe this season, will be a daunting task for Xavi & co.

The 41-year-old took over the reins of the club only last month and while there is plenty of work to be done, he has been able to get some of his ideas across to the players, which have reflected on the pitch. And that is something that Xavi’s opposite number, Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, recognises.

The German manager, regarded as one of the brightest young tacticians in the game, claimed in an interview (h/t Mundo Deportivo) that there was a noticeable difference in the way Barca played under Xavi, while also stating that he saw a hint of Pep Guardiola’s influence in the way that the 41-year-old sets his team up.

“Xavi has only had a couple of training sessions with Barcelona. But of course I can see differences already. With Xavi, they defend higher up the field. Their high press is much better, more risky, like in the Pep Guardiola days,” Nagelsmann said.

The Bayern Munich manager further hailed Barcelona’s squad, saying: “They have a fantastic team, with a lot of quality. It is a very young group and they have the pressure to win tomorrow.”

Considering how Xavi spent a lot of time playing under Guardiola, it is only natural for him to pick up a few things from his mentor’s style.

While the former midfielder tasted a lot of success at Al Sadd, things will be much more challenging for him at Barcelona, with the Bayern Munich clash presenting the first hurdle of many. Not long before we find out how he fares in his biggest test to date.