It was a Spanish Super Cup final that Xavi had to win for a variety of reasons.
None more so than to prove that his emerging Barcelona side do indeed have what it takes to win the big games.
Right from the get-go, the Blaugranes seemed more up for the fight than a Real Madrid side that are still hanging on Barca’s coat tails in La Liga but haven’t really played really well for some while now.
Xavi’s decision to drop Raphinha and subsequently ensure that the midfield was completely under control turned out to be a masterstroke.