Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona are already a great team

Having a great squad does not necessarily mean you have a great team. Much less a team that will win things. Barça have a top squad, in Xavi's own words, and now it's the coach who has to build a winning team. For as much talent as the players have (and they have a lot), the process is never easy. In addition. Barça have a huge handicap: they don't have time. There is an urgency after years of disappointments and failures.

Xavi knows it: this season there is a demand to win trophies. The first person to make the demands will be Joan Laporta. The present has best everything (selling club assets, putting his own money at risk and investing more than 160 million euros on signings) on one card. The pressure will also come from members and fans, who need success to feel proud of supporting the club again. And, in general, the environment around the club, too, which will scrutinise every detail of the campaign.

The excitement generated by the renewal of the squad should now be reflected in results on the pitch. The good sensations after the win against Real Sociedad and, above all, Real Valladolid, were put to the test against Sevilla on Saturday, a Champions League side, even if they have had a tough start to the season. And Barça showed that, even though this is just beginning, they are ready for big challenges.

After a dubious start at the Sanchez Pizjuan (Ter Stegen made two great saves), the Blaugrana took control and were clinical. With intensity, winning balls back thanks to their pressure and pace, Barça disarmed Julen Lopetegui's side. And Lewandowski, the imperial Lewandowski, dictated the sentence. He made the first goal and scored the second, killing the game off in the first half.

The Polish striker, accompanied by the wonderful unpredictability of Dembele and the directness of Raphinha, showed once again he is clearly the leader of this growing team. Xavi knows what he wants and, above all, with who he wants to achieve it. The XI at the Sanchez Pizjuan is the cornerstone of his project, with great substitutes in Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong. This Barça, even though it's in construction, is starting to have aspects of a great side. Of being champions.