Xavi on Elche win, incredible Gavi & Barcelona losing their model

Barcelona coach Xavi heaped praise on Gavi as he singled out the club's youngsters after the 3-2 win over Elche on Saturday.

Ferran Jutgla and Gavi gave Barça a two-goal lead but they were pegged back in the second half before Nico Gonzalez scored an 85th-minute winner.

"You can only take your hat off for that performance from Gavi," Xavi said. "It's spectacular how he plays. Along with Nico, Abde, Araujo, Balde... they're the future of the club. I played here when I was 18 and I was scared. These guys are bursting with personality. I'm delighted with this generation, Gavi is especially exciting. 

"What's most surprising about Gavi is his age, he's 17. Look at how he's competing. Today he made the difference with a goal and an assist. I don't want to compare him with anyone, just make sure he doesn't put the brakes on because he has no ceiling."   

Asked if the new crop of youngsters could be as good as his generation, Xavi added: "Maybe even better, because we're talking about seven players at a very good level."  

On Frenkie de Jong, he said: "He contributed as well. He didn't have the fluidity of Gavi or Nico, but he made a huge effort. He's been struggling with a knock all week. Maybe you don't see what he does, but he's very good. There's also a fatigue issue, he's played a lot of minutes."

And on Barça losing their way:  "We've lost the model of play and we have to bring it back. I have not been here for six years and there are things that have surprised me tactically. I wasn't here so I don't know who's responsible for it, but it's making [the job] hard for us. The large majority [of players] don't understand positional play. There are mechanisms that I understood from the age of 11 and we have players here that haven't worked on them."