Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique Martinez represents the FC Barcelona style better than the current Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez, if we compare the advanced statistics from both coaches' tenures on the Barcelona bench.

"Who better represents the spirit of Barça? Without a doubt, it's me. It's not just my opinion, look at the data, in terms of ball possession, goal-scoring opportunities, high pressure, titles, trophies. Some may think differently, but without a doubt, it's me," stated Luis Enrique in the press conference prior to the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal between both teams.

Xavi Responds to Luis Enrique

In those aspects, "99% of the time has been favorable to the interests of my teams," added the Spanish coach. For him, this means he better represents Barcelona's classic playing system.

And statistics support PSG's coach, as in the 181 matches he managed the Blaugrana, he achieved better figures than Xavi in 133, according to data provided by Besoccer. Luis Enrique averaged better numbers than Xavi in possession (65.98% to 63.52%), shots on target (6.66 to 5.49), shots against (3.31 to 3.64), goals scored (2.87 to 1.91), goals conceded (0.81 to 1.05), as well as in the percentage of matches scoring (91.71% to 85.71%) and clean sheets (45.3 to 42.11%).

Additionally, the win ratio (76.24% to 62.41%), draws (12.15% to 18.05%), and losses (11.60% to 19.55%) favor Luis Enrique, who, in his three seasons leading the Blaugrana, won nine titles: two La Ligas, three Copa del Rey, one Spanish Super Cup, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Overall, with Luis Enrique Martinez, Barcelona had more possession, more shots on target, scored more goals, and conceded fewer goals. They also won more matches, made more vertical passes, and had more presence in the opposition's penalty area.

According to the same data, that team also created more goal-scoring opportunities per game. In that comparison, Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona is better in total recoveries and recoveries in the opposition's half, and slightly better in passing accuracy.

Xavi, who took over the reins of the Barça bench in November 2021, has clinched a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup, although he has never had a squad with as much talent as Luis Enrique's, who, in his three seasons, had players of the caliber of Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Luis Suárez, among others.