The big news in the lineup in this Thursday’s game in Las Palmas was the decision of Xavi to leave Joao Félix on the bench. It was a relative surprise because in the last game of last year against Almería, the coach already sat him down at half-time after a very weak first half, both on the part of the team and the Portuguese. Against the Canaries, the striker stayed on the bench and came out in the second half. A warning for the Portuguese.
He wasn’t the only one. In the second part, The coach decided to sit Lewandowski, something very unusual although it is not the first time he had done it. The Pole is on a bad scoring streak. He has only one goal in the last eight games he has played with the Barça team. A very poor baggage for the records to which Lewandowski has accustomed us. Xavi sat him down to introduce Lamine Yamal and Joao Félix.
Reward good games
The coach is clear that is going to pull meritocracy From now on, seating anyone who is not well, whatever their name is. A good measure to have all his men hooked up. In Gran Canaria he put Ferran, who had been pushing hard, in the starting eleven and the Valencian reciprocated the gesture by scoring the important tying goal. He also continued Sergi Roberto who had scored two goals against Almería and this time he precisely assisted Ferran.
Great competitiveness
The competitiveness is going to be enormous up front. With what there is and with the arrival of Victor Roque. The minutes will be shared and the coach has no intention of marrying anyone. Raphinha remains in the eleven because of the intensity he puts into the game. It is true that he is not very successful in offensive actions, but he does not stop running throughout the game.
Xavi, in the match against Las Palmas.
Maximum intensity
Pressure is key and whoever does not press will have a difficult time playing. In that the Brazilian is not a suspect, while it is evident that players like Lewandowski and Joao Felix They don’t push as much as their peers. If Barcelona wants to compete for titles, the pressure after losing is non-negotiable. And that, in some games, has not happened.
2024-01-05 05:14:16
#Lewandowski #Joao #Félix #lose #status #untouchables
