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Xavi fundamental to Barcelona: Enrique

Barcelona’s Xavi has gone from a being a bit part figure to once again leading the midfield and coach Luis Enrique believes he is now fundamental to the team as they prepare to face APOEL in the Champions League late on Tuesday.

The veteran captain looked a dejected figure watching from the bench in the opening matches of the season and it seemed arguable whether he made the right decision to stay, having listened to offers to end his career in the US and Qatar. However, with Barca struggling for consistency under new coach Luis Enrique, the tireless Xavi has worked his way back into the side and come to the fore.

Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick to set a La Liga scoring record of 253 goals in a 5-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday and it was Xavi who was pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch. Barcelona face APOEL with nine points from four games in Group F, a point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain who beat them 3-2 at the Parc des Princes. ‘If there were two players I knew when I arrived they were Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta as I played with them. He is our captain, a fundamental player for us and I am delighted that it is the case. There will not be another player like Xavi with his style of play and quality,’ Enrique said.
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