Pirlo or Xavi: who's better this season?

Stats say its dead even. Pirlo and Xavi both have 5 goals and 5 assists in league play. In the CL pirlo has 3 assists, and 74% pass completion while xavi has 4 assists and 89% completed passes...

this one is tough to call. I think both have fallen off form from last season, especially Pirlo, but that was because he was an absolute revelation last season. I think its pretty even. What do u think?

According to whoscored, Pirlo has been better

All kidding aside, it will be hard to judge unless we have a poster who watches Juventus and Barcelona frequently. Otherwise it will just be Juve fans vs Barca fans.

From what I've seen, I think Pirlo has performed better so far this season.

I watch any barca game I can. I watch every Juve game full stop. I would love to be a blatant fanboy, but this one is really close..

Im not asking this question to troll, I'm legitimately perplexed

From what i have seen this season i'm going for Xavi i think he has been more consistent and performed to a higher level at times.

Iniesta and Marchisio have been better than both though IMO.

Iniesta and march have been better (what a thread that would be )

Pirlo has definitely fallen off some. He was playing at a ridiculously high level. I think that his dip in form has been completely erased though by Marchisio and Vidal playing like men possessed.

Xavi IMO has not been at his best either TBF, but IMO it goes hardly noticed since the team is so insane.

In the OP, you mentioned Pirlos pass accuracy in the CL.

Before any poster makes a comment about it, I just want to put it out that Juve like to play defensive and break on the counter in the CL. Pirlo is somewhat forced to play more long balls then per usual.

So please don't use that as a telling point to who's better, and that Pirlo loses the ball and is a liability to his team like that. Because I have a feeling some posters will say that, especially the ''new'' posters.

The Nature Boy wrote:Iniesta and march have been better (what a thread that would be )

Pirlo has definitely fallen off some. He was playing at a ridiculously high level. I think that his dip in form has been completely erased though by Marchisio and Vidal playing like men possessed.

Xavi IMO has not been at his best either TBF, but IMO it goes hardly noticed since the team is so insane.

Agree with that as for the Iniesta and Marchisio thing you know as well as i do as good as Marchisio is that thread would be a waste of your time and efforts

I can see the responses now

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:From what i have seen this season i'm going for Xavi i think he has been more consistent and performed to a higher level at times.

Iniesta and Marchisio have been better than both though IMO.

I don't disagree with your opinion Mole, but can you go deeper in that sentence that I highlighted in red? Because I think that is questionable imo.

Casciavit wrote:In the OP, you mentioned Pirlos pass accuracy in the CL.

Before any poster makes a comment about it, I just want to put it out that Juve like to play defensive and break on the counter in the CL. Pirlo is somewhat forced to play more long balls then per usual.

So please don't use that as a telling point to who's better, and that Pirlo loses the ball and is a liability to his team like that. Because I have a feeling some posters will say that, especially the ''new'' posters.

Fair point. Xavi has also attempted almost 400 more passes.

Your right about the Juve style, and this is especially true in the CL just watch the first leg of Celtic v Juve.

One thing is true though that I think Pirlo out of the side would effect Juve more than Barca having Xavi out of the side.

Casciavit wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:From what i have seen this season i'm going for Xavi i think he has been more consistent and performed to a higher level at times.

Iniesta and Marchisio have been better than both though IMO.

I don't disagree with your opinion Mole, but can you go deeper in that sentence that I highlighted in red? Because I think that is questionable imo.

That performance against Milan where he basically ran the show, has Pirlo or any midfielder performed to that level this season?

Just an example, i do think he's had dips in form which is only natural for him and Pirlo at their age.

But at this best in my opinion he's performed better, but it is close.

They have both have been poor at times too.... Juve 3-1 defeat to Inter and Barca's 2-0 defeat to Milan spring to mind.

Haven't seen much of Pirlo apart from CL so I won't comment.

I don't really watch juve much(aside from the few CL games) but Xavi has been really hit and miss when I watch him. He's either sensational or poor. In one of the classicos(I forget which one) it was like he wasn't even on the pitch. Other time he's been awesome.

lszanto wrote:I don't really watch juve much(aside from the few CL games) but Xavi has been really hit and miss when I watch him. He's either sensational or poor. In one of the classicos(I forget which one) it was like he wasn't even on the pitch. Other time he's been awesome.

Pretty much when Tito left apart from two games Xavi has been poor under the clueless guidance of Roura...

xavi has had a below par season by his standards, even then so has pirlo imo. last season was pirlo's best since 2003? 2004? it will be difficult to emulate those standards. i'd say its even.

Casciavit wrote:According to whoscored, Pirlo has been better

have to point out it's not even close on whoscored: Pirlo 7.89, Xavi 7.24.

I'd go for Pirlo. Haven't seen much of Barca this season (maybe 5-6 games) but i haven't been too impressed with xavi. However, have to admit much of that is because of the waste of space called Fabregas on his left disrupting the xaviesta combo and stuffing up the team's formation in general. But that's another story...

juve played different last season and thats why pirlo's form has fallen, last season pirlo was thought to be a flop by others and he was a superb player in the top 5 in the world (knowing his age) but this season pirlo is being double marked and i dont doubt his class because there is no player that can put pirlo under pressure. and dont forget that pirlo was the third player who ran more in the champions league group stage.

Lunatic Fringe wrote:xavi has had a below par season by his standards, even then so has pirlo imo. last season was pirlo's best since 2003? 2004? it will be difficult to emulate those standards. i'd say its even.

Pirlo's peak was between 2004-2007. He isn't better than he was back then.