Barcelona travelled to the French capital to face PSG in one of the most anticipated matches of the Champions League group stage.

Even considering injury troubles for both teams, the match was a showcase of Ballon d’Or-winning talent past, present and future.

Hansi Flick included three teenagers in his starting lineup, although it may be fair to call Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí seasoned veterans now.

Xavi Espart, however, faced his first big test since joining the Barcelona first team. With Jules Koundé and Eric García both missing through injury, he was in to start at right-back against one of the world’s best wingers, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Ultimately, Barcelona fell to a 4-2 defeat in Paris, but many players showcased themselves well on the night - including the versatile, young right-back.

Xavi Espart's development

Born and raised in the city of Barcelona, Xavi Espart joined the famous La Masia in 2015. In the same year, another midfielder of the same name broke the record for the most appearances at Barcelona and left the club on a high with a victory in the Champions League.

Throughout his time in the academy, he played in midfield and at full-back, developing his understanding of the game regardless of the position he played. It may not come as a surprise that his style of play, even so early in his career, mirrors many La Masia graduates of the past.

While he featured briefly for Barcelona last season, Xavi Espart did not become an official member of the senior team until this summer. He was given a squad number (12) and assurances from Flick that he would be a trusted player in a team full of stars.

Performance vs PSG

Having last featured in the Champions League as a substitute during last season’s knockout clash with Newcastle, Xavi Espart lined up for the iconic anthem for the first time at Parc des Princes.

In the opening stages he was, understandably, inconsistent.

One moment he was playing his way out of an aggressive PSG press with composure beyond his years. The next he was struggling to keep track of Kvaratskhelia and risked giving away a penalty for his challenge on the Georgian winger.

However, given the circumstances, it was a mostly assured performance from the young man in the first half, during which he mostly remained in his own half.

After half-time, Barcelona were tasked with producing a response. They were behind at the break for the first time this season and yet to lose a game in that time.

They started well, controlling the momentum for perhaps the first time in the game.

Xavi Espart’s equaliser came from an intelligent run down the inside channel. Fermín López delayed well, holding the ball up while battling with Vitinha in midfield. Then, when the time was right, he saw his teammate making a run ahead of him.

From that point, the teenager may have had the easy job. However, he still needed to remain composed, protect the ball while taking a touch beyond the onrushing Lucas Hernandez, and power a shot beyond Matvey Safonov.

Minutes later he was making things happen again. Driving out from the right-back position he took a touch to take Willian Pacho out of the game and continued to cover ground before finding Raphinha, who fired a right-footed shot off target.

In the process of that move, he did catch Kvaratskhelia and brought his evening to a premature end. PSG confirmed the following morning that their number seven had sustained an ACL injury and would need to undergo surgery.

Statistics

By the eye test it was an eventful game for Xavi Espart; however, the stats tell the story of a steady performance.

Throughout his 74 minutes on the pitch, he made two blocks, the joint most of any player, and won two out of three attempted tackles.

He was consistently involved in duels both in and out of possession, winning four and losing four across his time on the pitch.

In an attacking sense, he picked his moments well, demonstrated best by his goal, which was his only shot of the match, but he was able to make his way into the perfect position to take it.