Midfielders:
Sergio Busquets
Barcelona anchor man Sergio Busquets may be a polarising character – much like Pepe for Real Madrid – but his ability as a footballer is in no doubt.
Busquets is the best defensive midfielder in the world, and when either (or both) Barca full backs get forward, he is intelligent enough to cover the runs. His tactical brain is second to none, and he is a clean tackler who always appears to be in the right position.
At the same time, he is incredibly adept technically. The video below is from 2010, but it features some tremendous play from Busquets – and he has only improved since then.
Xavi
Xavi Hernandez is perhaps Spain’s greatest ever player – the metronome that keeps them ticking.
He averages 98.9 passes per game in La Liga at time of writing, illustrating just how often he touches the ball.
It is often speculated that if you stop Xavi, you stop Barcelona, but so good is the 33 year-old at finding space, limiting his possession has not proved easy.
Perhaps Xavi represents the Barcelona ideology above any other player. His work rate, passing and tactical brain are second to none – and of course he came through the famous La Masia academy.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta too is a phenomenal player, almost as good a passer as Xavi and up there with Lionel Messi with his ability on the ball.
The Spain star has the same roll of honours as the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi, and it was his extra time goal that won the Spanish the 2010 World Cup final.
No player has provided more assists than Iniesta in La Liga this season, and his creativity is vital to Barcelona’s success.
Though capable of playing on the left of a front three, in this team Iniesta would play in central midfield alongside Xavi.
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