You can’t underestimate the importance of reliable defense.
Barcelona traditionally is a team who considers possession a defensive tactic. After all, if your opponent doesn’t have the ball, they can’t score.
But more and more in world football, we have seen teams do more with less. The tiki taka era is over, and the game has evolved. Even Manchester City, who continues to be the poster child for possession-based football, adapts from the season to season defensively to stay one step ahead of the competition.
A year ago, Xavi led Barcelona to a La Liga title in a season full of 1-0 victories.