“Today we worked on free kicks. It was a surprise because some players don’t want to take them but are really good at it. Players like Pedri, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Martin Braithwaite, Frenkie de Jong. We are working on it,” Xavi said in the pre-Espanyol press conference.
“At 21 years of age, Leo Messi did not take free kicks. But it’s a matter of training, we work on free kicks at the end of each session.
“We also have Memphis Depay and Dani Alves, they are specialists. At the start of each game, the training staff comes up with a list of who will be responsible. But practising these things is what helps the players improve.”
Barcelona are yet to score a free kick this season. In Messi’s absence, Memphis has become the designated set-piece specialist, at least that was the case under Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman has been struggling with injuries since December, though. In the meantime, we’ve even seen Gerard Pique try his luck.
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