@FootynewsXavi Hernández broke down how Rafa Márquez made Barcelona’s set pieces a cheat code. He’d take the corners and free kicks, and Márquez would drift to the near post calling for the ball at the vertex. That routine alone produced four or five headed goals a season. Beyond the aerial threat, Márquez was so clean on the ball that one pass from the back could slice through an entire defensive line, no need for two or three touches to reach the attack. Xavi also pointed out he could bury a free kick when he stepped up to take it himself.

@FootynewsXavi Hernández broke down how Rafa Márquez made Barcelona’s set pieces a cheat code. He’d take the corners and free kicks, and Márquez would drift to the near post calling for the ball at the vertex. That routine alone produced four or five headed goals a season. Beyond the aerial threat, Márquez was so clean on the ball that one pass from the back could slice through an entire defensive line, no need for two or three touches to reach the attack. Xavi also pointed out he could bury a free kick when he stepped up to take it himself.