Xavi began his managerial career at his childhood club Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Espanyol in a La Liga match on Saturday. Barcelona needed a penalty scored by Dutchman Memphis Depay just three minutes into the second half, after a review by the Video Assistant Referee, to secure their first win in five league matches.
Barcelona jumped from ninth place to sixth, accumulating 20 points from 13 matches, equal to seventh-placed Rayo Vallecano. Sevilla leads the league with 28 points, ahead of Real Sociedad on goal difference, while Real Madrid has 27 points from 12 matches. Xavi, 41, who replaced Dutchman Ronald Koeman earlier this month, is tasked with salvaging Barcelona's season and hopes to restore the glory days during which he won 25 titles as a player in 17 years at the club.
Espanyol exerted strong pressure in the final minutes and squandered several dangerous chances, leaving them with 17 points in 11th place.
