Xavi’s Secret Weapon: Intense Internal Competition Boosts Barcelona
Xavi’s Secret Weapon: Intense Internal Competition Boosts Barcelona
In the decisive moment of the season, Xavi has his squad right where he wanted them. The Egarense coach now depends on making the best decisions regarding player selection and game plan. However, a significant part of this improvement in Barcelona has already been achieved. In this rejuvenated Barça, nobody wants to be left behind. With very few pieces considered untouchable, most players have to earn their place week by week. Despite injuries, this internal competition continues to grow, benefiting Xavi the most.
Beyond figures like Ter Stegen, Araujo, Gündogan, and Lewandowski, there are currently no players who would maintain their place regardless of performance. This means that the rest of the starting eleven is a wide-open ‘battle’ among a group that, for better or worse, lacks a specific player capable of single-handedly tipping the scales in games.
In defense, Christensen’s strong performances since arriving in Barcelona have forced Araujo and Kounde to maintain their vigilance last season. In the midfield and on the wings, there has arguably been less competition. In the former, due to a lack of pure depth, while in the latter, injuries to Pedri and Gavi have left Xavi with fewer alternatives.
More Options Than Ever in Attack However, the attacking department has become a fierce competition with constant variation. For the first time in a long while, the Barcelona coach has all his men available: Lamine, Ferran, Raphinha, Vitor Roque, Lewandowski, and Joao Félix. In total, six forwards for two, three, or four positions, depending on Xavi’s game plan. The last time the coach had this many options was the first week of January, until Raphinha was injured in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals against Osasuna.
With the ‘match of the year’ at Parc des Princes just 10 days away, these players have accumulated enough merit to be part of the starting lineup. Lamine is in excellent form, Raphinha showed against Las Palmas that his intensity and depth are very useful, Joao Félix’s magic could be decisive, and Ferran was shining before his injury. In this race, the only one trailing is Vitor Roque, still in the adaptation phase.
PSG, the Perfect Motivation Such competition translates into improved performance. Everyone wants to prove themselves, and ultimately, the team benefits the most. Being alive in the Champions League fuels players’ ambitions, making every game an opportunity to showcase their skills. The healthy internal ‘battle’ for a spot in the starting eleven will provide an extra boost in the tie against PSG, especially in terms of resources from the bench, as seen with Joao Félix against Las Palmas.
