Xavi was incredibly clear when he took over as Barcelona coach that he needed to put a stop to the club’s injury crisis that had been inhibiting the club since the 2020/21 season, and the former Al-Sadd coach has been true to his word.

Xavi decided to restructure two key areas that have the greatest impact on injuries: the medical department and the rehabilitation staff, with the results already beginning to show.

With Xavi’s appointment coming in November, he has had time to put into place the changes he desired and, with us now in March, we’re seeing the results of that work.

In the period from the beginning of February right through to the last day of March, the Cules have only issued three medical reports detailing new injuries.

In comparison with the previous two years, this has been seen as a minor miracle, with only Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet and Sergino Dest picking up fresh knocks in this time frame.

If we compare this to Xavi’s first month in charge it is a total juxtaposition, with November seeing Eric Garcia, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay, Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde all go down with various ailments.

Barcelona’s busy schedule hasn’t caused more injuries

What makes this development even more surprising is the fact that it has coincided with the Blaugrana’s busiest period of the 2021/22 season, with the club having faced knockout ties against Napoli and Galatasaray in the Europa League, as well as a hectic LaLiga Santander schedule which culminated in a Clasico victory.

At this precise moment, Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto are the longer-term injury absentees, whilst Dest is still in the treatment room for the knock picked up in the last two months.

Ansu Fati hasn’t yet been medically cleared, but is gradually approaching the time when he will be permitted to return to full training.