Liga – FC Barcelona: Without Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembélé, how to attack?

Thursday in Madrid, FC Barcelona took a serious option on qualifying for the Spanish Cup final by pulling out of the first leg against Real (0-1). A second victory against the ultimate competitor, in less than a month. But Thursday, the only goal of the Blaugranas was scored by a Madrid player (an own goal from Eder Militao).

More generally, the Catalan offensive activity did not thrill anyone and confirmed that the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, Pedri and Robert Lewandowski (injured) weighed and will continue to weigh. This Sunday (4:15 p.m.), at Camp Nou, Xavi’s band welcomes Valencia (19th) from La Liga to further consolidate its place as leader of the championship. But the three injured, who continued to train apart this week, will not be there. Just like Gavi who is suspended. The young Spain international occupied the left flank of the attack during this week’s Clasico.

Thursday against Real, Barca were suffocated (36% possession). The Catalans lacked attacking resources without Pedri, Dembélé and Lewandowski. “The plan was to play in the opposing camp, to win the duels, to dominate the match with the ball… But it happens, some teams can dominate you. We failed to have the necessary patience. Afterwards, Real almost had no clear chances. It’s important for us, defense is part of the game. But it’s not our primary objective“, explained the Spanish technician, after the fact.

Torres is looking for his place

It is certain that Xavi has not accustomed us to exceptionally spectacular football since the start of the season. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter. At the top of La Liga (59 points), the club remains pragmatic in the league, well helped by its summer recruit, Robert Lewandowski (15 goals, 5 assists, all competitions combined). But the Pole, scorer in the Spanish Super Cup final (1-3, January 15), injured his hamstrings and missed the finish.

“Ferran has always worked for the team, he sacrificed himself, he helps the defending side… For a coach, it’s a pleasure. The work that Ferran does is extraordinary. He’s a humble boy, who always does well in training, so we have to renew our trust in him.“, wanted to reassure Xavi, two weeks ago. But on Thursday, the Spanish international often moved out of the way to make the defensive effort or go for the ball lower. But to make decisive calls or create clear chances, it was not the same song.

Creation has flopped

On the Barcelona wings, too, there are choices to be made. With Ferran Torres at the forefront and Ousmane Dembélé in the infirmary, Raphinha is the logical continuity to ensure on the right. But the Brazilian has been too inconsistent since arriving from Leeds this summer. Recently, he has been very good against Manchester United in the Europa League and has 4 goals and 4 assists in all competitions. But the former Rennais sometimes seems out of ideas in the creation but also when it is necessary to finish in front of the goals. Difficult to judge his performance Thursday in the Cup. Offensively, he struggled a lot but he played a big part in the defensive effort that kept the score up.

On the left, Xavi regularly chooses to install the young Gavi, who will fail against the VCF this Sunday. But the Spanish international is a midfielder who helps out in front. Difficult to require him to cause danger on the left side even if he is capable of it by his natural talent. And if the 18-year-old has to compensate on this side, it’s because Ansu Fati continues to disappoint. The Barcelona No. 10 chained poor performances and his entry against Real Madrid on Thursday was transparent. Just like the performance of Gavi, which it replaced.

But with this Barca there, the danger also comes from the midfield. Except that Pedri will not be there, he who is so essential. “We would have liked to have more possession, to have more control of the ball during the match, but they pressed us well. We were able to compete, the team did a lot of physical work, we were very united“, launched Sergio Busquets, after the semi-final of the Cup. No Pedri but a Franck Kessié, who initiated the only goal of the meeting and a Frenkie de Jong far from missing his match.

But on Sunday, we won’t just have to defend or get out of a laundry, but create danger. And the Dutchman capable of making differences and the powerful Ivorian can limit the effects of Pedri’s absence. While Valencia’s defense is far from the best in La Liga, the encounter will be a good test of the Blaugrana’s attacking reaction capacity.