After two years of distress within the Champions League group stage, Barcelona have the possibility to guide their place within the knock-out rounds in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday in Hamburg.
The Spanish champions can assure progress with a fourth consecutive victory in Group H, one thing they haven’t managed since 2021, after they had been knocked out by Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain within the final 16.
Undoubtedly Barcelona have improved since Xavi arrived in November that yr, profitable La Liga final season, however they’ve nonetheless struggled in Europe and lacked the glint many, together with the coach, needs to see of their sport.
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Consecutive 5-0 wins over Real Betis in La Liga and Royal Antwerp within the Champions League in September had been the excessive level of the membership’s season up to now, however they haven’t produced that soccer on a constant foundation.
Despite strolling round Shakhtar within the first half of their 2-1 win at dwelling in October, the Catalans didn’t put the sport to mattress and suffered within the remaining levels because the Ukrainians sought a leveller.
It was the identical story within the Clasico in La Liga three days after that, besides this time Jude Bellingham hit a shocking double to win Real Madrid the sport after Ilkay Gundogan’s opener.
By distinction, Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Saturday regardless of being on the again foot all through, creating subsequent to nothing earlier than Ronald Araujo’s stoppage time winner.
“Football sometimes is inexplicable,” stated Xavi, admitting the staff needed to be “self-critical”.
Xavi’s soccer has been a far cry from the staff’s peak below Pep Guardiola, when he was a key participant, and even from the dynamic, swashbuckling performances that noticed them win the Champions League in 2015 with Luis Enrique on the helm.
The coach has beforehand stated that within the fashionable period it’s now not attainable to be as dominant as in his enjoying days, however that the staff wouldn’t cease making an attempt to emulate their predecessors.
– ‘Unacceptable’ –
What can’t be allowed, stated Xavi, is a efficiency as flat as in opposition to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
“Today is an example of what we must not do, above all in terms of intensity — that’s something unacceptable,” the coach instructed reporters.
“It cannot be. (But) to win, and win not playing well, is something a champion team does.”
In the second half in opposition to Real Sociedad, midfielder Pedri made his comeback from damage, having final performed in August.
Xavi stated he was assured the Canary Islander’s return will assist the staff play with extra fluency.
“Pedri will change the face of the team,” stated Xavi.
“It’s very good news for him and for the group.”
Robert Lewandowski returned from an ankle damage within the Clasico in its place and began in opposition to Real Sociedad however didn’t contribute a lot on both event.
A return to Germany, the place he starred with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, could be excellent for him to get again on monitor — Barcelona missed his deadly ending within the first match in opposition to Shakhtar.
Xavi may shift away from the three centre-again formation he has used within the final two video games, seemingly designed to ease defensive tasks on Joao Cancelo.
The attacking Portuguese proper-again has contributed so much going ahead however been a weak hyperlink on the again in his first months on the membership.
Xavi has not but discovered a system he can depend on usually, maybe contributing to the staff’s inconsistency.
It can be unclear what Barca’s finest line-up is when everyone is match — an abundance of central midfielders and breakthrough skills Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez are giving Xavi a variety headache, albeit of the optimistic selection.
By wrapping up qualification on Tuesday with two matches to spare, the coach will purchase himself extra time to get his geese in a row forward of much more testing fixtures within the Champions League’s later rounds.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
