The coach taught with his first eleven of the season the main lines of what he intends and who he has and who not so much
Araujo started as the starting right-back, Piqué has a hard time finding a place, the midfield is very well defined and the trident, for now too
Things didn’t work out, but Xavi’s first starting eleven in the league championship was a declaration of intent on the part of the Barça coach. The one from Terrassa was already targeting in the preseason and the Joan Gamper Trophy with whom he had more and who less and the line-up against Rayo Vallecano, as well as the order in the changes, endorsed his position.
To begin with, Ronald Araujo started as the starting right back ahead of Sergi Roberto and even more so, of a Sergiño Dest with a foot and a half outside according to the fact that he was not even summoned. The Uruguayan, yes, suffered more than expected, Álvaro tried to tickle him, and ended up in the center of the rear.
A position, that of central, where Gerard Piqué has a difficult place, especially as long as he does not manage to be one hundred percent. Xavi trusts Christensen, who made his debut at the Camp Nou and did it correctly, and Eric García who goes further and who he values for his freshness and good ball output.
Busquets, without replacement
The center of the field seems practically immovable. The captain, Sergio Busquets, has no replacement beyond a Pjanic that Xavi liked and that is why he stays, but he is far from the performance of Badia. Pedri and Gavi are very regular in the interiors, especially the player from Tenerife. Yes, Kessie could find a loophole in the place of the youth squad if, like last night, he is not quite fine.
The trident chosen above was not a surprise to anyone, according to the performance that Dembélé and Raphinha had been exhibiting on the wings, and the leadership of an indisputable Lewandowski. In the last winter market, Aubameyang and Ferran Torres arrived to save the furniture. The first is now a refresh solution and the second is still unreleased. Who is expected is the best Ansu.
Xavi brought in De Jong as the first replacement and the Dutchman responded. Good news. The technician will count on Frenkie while he is in the team.