Vitor Roque’s Journey: Xavi’s Patient Plan
Vitor Roque, dubbed ‘Operation Cadiz’, arrived in Barcelona with a clear mission: to gradually adapt. The plan wasn’t for immediate impact but for him to immerse himself in the Barça philosophy alongside experienced teammates. There was no rush to assess his performance or decide on a loan or summer move elsewhere; instead, the focus was on his development within the club.
Surprisingly, Roque made his debut shortly after arriving in Barcelona, appearing in matches and even scoring crucial goals against Osasuna and in Vitoria. However, as the team regained strength and faced high-stakes matches, his playing time decreased, partly to relieve pressure on the 18-year-old and partly due to tactical decisions.
Notably, Roque has yet to debut in the Champions League, despite being registered for the competition. However, with an opportunity arising due to Lewandowski’s suspension, Roque may feature in the upcoming match against Mirandilla, where Xavi will make tactical adjustments. Roque remains optimistic about his time at the club, embracing the learning process as he awaits further opportunities on the pitch.
