Barça wants to close the wound against a Villarreal in search of Europe
Those of Xavi, for three points to forget Europe and the Classic
BARCELONA, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona will receive this Thursday (9:00 p.m.) at the Spotify Camp Nou against Villarreal CF, in a duel where the azulgranas want to put an end to their debacle in the Champions League and in the Classic, so they will try to comply to continue on the lookout for the leadership against a ‘groguet’ team that has returned to the path of victory.
Xavi Hernández’s team is in need of joy after the sad weeks it has experienced since the international team break. First the injuries, then his frenetic draw against Inter Milan -which leaves him practically without options to go to the round of 16 of the ‘Champions’- and last Sunday the painful stumble (3-1) against his eternal rival, who deprived him of continuing to lead the table.
With no time to complain, due to the tight schedule, Barça will try to get back together to continue in the fight for LaLiga Santander. In fact, neither the good game nor the results have accompanied the ‘culé’ team in their last two duels, something that they must recover at all costs if they want to reverse Xavi Hernández’s first sporting crisis.
For this reason, a large part of his options go through the boots and head of Robert Lewandowski, the Müller Trophy, who gave his team an extra life in the continental competition with a double. However, the Pole wants to regain the prominence lost in the League, as evidenced at the Santiago Bernabéu.
However, Xavi still has the task of being able to get the best level out of Raphinha, powerless since his arrival at Can Barça, and the regularity of Ousmane Dembélé. Two attackers who have gained prominence in the eleven to the detriment of Ansu Fati, without pain or glory this season, who must take a step forward.
In the same way that Ferran Torres, compensated with the goal in Madrid and that he will try to maintain this Thursday. The harsh defeats have left the Barça captains marked, including Sergio Busquets, who could rest and leave his position to Frenkie de Jong, accompanied by Pedri and Gavi, in his case awarded the Raymond Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21.
A trophy that she will show to her fans, together with Lewandowski and Alexia Putellas, the best player in the world for the second consecutive year, for which she will display her Ballon d’Or before the match’s initial whistle.
Behind, other of the big problems for Xavi, Eric García will have to recover the solidity shown at the beginning of the season, together with a Koundé who returned to the pitch in the Clásico. The sides point to Alejandro Balde on the right, ahead of Sergi Roberto and Héctor Bellerín, who returns to the squad, while Marcos Alonso could lead the left lane.
For their part, Villarreal visits the Spotify Camp Nou in better spirits after beating Osasuna (2-0) and returning to winning ways, after four consecutive league games without scoring the three points.
A bad dynamic in the League that has nothing to do with their unbeaten record in the Conference League, with plenty of victories in the four games played. Now, three points behind Europe, Emery’s men want to return to the noble zone of the classification.
The ‘Yellow Sumbarino’ has recovered the momentum and the goals of Arnaut Danjuma, the protagonist of the Castellón team last day with a brace. Thus, the Dutchman has also left behind his physical ailments and has become the beacon of a team in need of a ‘killer’ after the absence of Gerard Moreno due to injury.
In addition, Alberto Moreno also returned to the field of play and enjoyed minutes after breaking his cruciate knee, so he could continue with Manu Trigueros in his set-up on the weekday. On the other hand, Coquelin and Foyth are still out, and the evolution of Kiko Femenía and Lo Celso remains to be seen.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Balde, Eric Garcia, Koundé, Marcos Alonso; Of Jong, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Lewandowski and Ansu Fati.
VILLARREAL CF: Rulli; Women, Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza; Morlanes, Parejo, Lo Celso; Morales, Yéremi Pino and Danjuma.
–REFEREE: From Cerro Grande (C. Madrileño).
–STADIUM: Spotify Camp Nou.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m. (Movistar LaLiga).
