Yellow Alert: Will Xavi Strategize to Navigate Suspensions?

As Barcelona heads to San Mamés, they carry the weight of potential suspensions, with four players on the verge of accumulation penalties. Xavi might consider managing this situation strategically, especially with upcoming clashes against Napoli and Atlético Madrid on the horizon. Will Xavi devise a plan to prevent yellow cards from becoming a headache?

For the Athletic Club vs. Barcelona fixture, Xavi has four players, namely Araujo, Cancelo, Oriol Romeu, and Lewandowski, just one yellow away from suspension. Three of them are likely to start in San Mamés, with Ulldecona’s Lewandowski likely to be on the bench. Xavi has emphasized the strategy of avoiding unnecessary yellow cards to delay suspensions as long as possible. Until now, he has refrained from trying to ‘control’ these impending sanctions, as none of the four received a yellow card against Getafe.

While Barcelona remains in contention for LaLiga, they approach every match as crucial for securing three vital points. However, hosting Mallorca at Montjuïc appears, on paper, to be a more manageable fixture than the one at the Metropolitano in two weeks. With Balde injured, having two potential absences in the full-back positions against Atlético Madrid would be challenging. Will Xavi ‘request’ Cancelo or Araujo to intentionally pick up a yellow card in Bilbao?

Looking beyond the Atlético-Barça clash, the upcoming match against Napoli adds another layer of importance. After facing Mallorca, Barcelona will play Napoli four days later at the same venue. If any of the cautioned players intentionally receive a yellow card in Bilbao, they would be obliged to rest against Mallorca, clearing their disciplinary record and arriving at the Napoli game fully rested.

Considering Araujo’s recent minor discomfort, Cancelo’s knee strain earlier in 2024, and Lewandowski’s demanding playing time in the new year, it makes sense for Xavi to view the Mallorca match as an opportunity for some to rest. Not all at once, but perhaps one or two of them.