Xabi-ball generally limits the amount of times Real Madrid’s wing-backs are isolated against wingers in 1v1 duels in deep positions. Most of Carreras’s work is carried high up the pitch. He wins the ball in the opponents’ half, and if the press gets beat, he sprints back and stops breaks reliably.

Barcelona have been left furious over what they describe as a 'witch hunt' against one of their players following an incident involving Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid won the first El Clasico of the season, defeating the Catalans 2-1 thanks to goals from Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.