Tata sidelines Xavi

Barça's line-up for the game against Ajax did not bring any surprises. Based on how Gerardo Martino has been operating of late, everything pointed to Xavi Hernández being on the bench. And so he was. Just because that is what happened this time, however, does not mean that the midfielder's replacement will become a regular feature.

You have to go back to 20th October 2010 in search of the last Champions League match for which the Catalan player was a reserve. It was against Copenhagen in the third tie of the play-offs which Barça won 2-0. Of the 126 Champions League games Xavi has played, he has only been on the bench for 16. Cesc Fàbregas took his spot on Wednesday.