Baraja and Xavi, a clash of two masterminds in the dugout

The FC Barcelona - Valencia CF fixture this Sunday on matchday 24 of LaLiga is a blockbuster with many standouts.

 One of them will undoubtedly be the managerial clashbetween Rubén Baraja and Xavi Hernández, two old acquaintances of Spanish football who pulled the strings in midfield for Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at the pinnacle of their footballing careers.

Rubén Baraja in that breattaking Valencia CF side  at the beginning of the 21st Century that won two LaLiga titles, the UEFA Cup, and the European Super Cup, as well as playing in two Champions League finals of which Pipo took part in the one in Milan; Xavi Hernández in that Barça that, after having to deal the Valencia CF side of the likes of  Piojo and Mendieta, and then that of Albelda and Baraja, increased the array of trophies and reached excellence in 2009 by winning the sextuplet winning side under Guardiola.

Opponents... and teammates in the Spanish national team

Baraja and Xavi marked an era in midfield, each with a very distinctive style on the pitch: Xavi with accuracy, short passing and turning; Baraja with character, strength, power and a greater ability to run into the opposition box.

Two complementary styles that could also be combined in the Spanish National Team where they were teammates for years and shared appearances the 2002 World Cup and the Euro 2004 with Baraja being the starter, and Xavi coming off the bench and playing the football that would later lead Spain to win the Euro 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.

This Sunday Baraja and Xavi will meet again, but in the dugout, although there will be no greeting on the pitch as the Catalan coach will be suspended for the game and he will not be on the bench for FC Barcelona whom he joined after having coached Al Sadd in Qatar.  Baraja arrived at Valencia CF a few weeks ago after having coached Elche CF, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijón, CD Tenerife and Real Zaragoza.

Both with the aim of transmitting to their players the footballing experiences that made them legends of Spanish football and this Sunday they will once again face each other as they did so many times throughout their playing careers, but this time as coaches.