After two years of distress within the Champions League group stage, Barcelona have the prospect to e book their place within the knock-out rounds in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday in Hamburg.
The Spanish champions can assure progress with a fourth consecutive victory in Group H, one thing they haven’t managed since 2021, once they had been knocked out by Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain within the final 16.
Undoubtedly Barcelona have improved since Xavi arrived in November that 12 months, profitable La Liga final season, however they’ve nonetheless struggled in Europe and lacked the glint many, together with the coach, needs to see of their sport.
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Consecutive 5-0 wins over Real Betis in La Liga and Royal Antwerp within the Champions League in September had been the excessive level of the membership’s season up to now, however they haven’t produced that soccer on a constant foundation.
Despite strolling round Shakhtar within the first half of their 2-1 win at residence in October, the Catalans didn’t put the sport to mattress and suffered within the ultimate phases because the Ukrainians sought a leveller.
It was the identical story within the Clasico in La Liga three days after that, besides this time Jude Bellingham hit a surprising double to win Real Madrid the sport after Ilkay Gundogan’s opener.
By distinction, Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Saturday regardless of being on the again foot all through, creating subsequent to nothing earlier than Ronald Araujo’s stoppage time winner.
“Football sometimes is inexplicable,” mentioned Xavi, admitting the crew needed to be “self-critical”.
Xavi’s soccer has been a far cry from the crew’s peak underneath Pep Guardiola, when he was a key participant, and even from the dynamic, swashbuckling performances that noticed them win the Champions League in 2015 with Luis Enrique on the helm.
The coach has beforehand mentioned that within the fashionable period it’s now not doable to be as dominant as in his enjoying days, however that the crew wouldn’t cease attempting to emulate their predecessors.
– ‘Unacceptable’ –
What can’t be allowed, mentioned Xavi, is a efficiency as flat as in opposition to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
“Today is an example of what we must not do, above all in terms of intensity — that’s something unacceptable,” the coach advised reporters.
“It cannot be. (But) to win, and win not playing well, is something a champion team does.”
In the second half in opposition to Real Sociedad, midfielder Pedri made his comeback from damage, having final performed in August.
Xavi mentioned he was assured the Canary Islander’s return will assist the crew play with extra fluency.
“Pedri will change the face of the team,” mentioned Xavi.
“It’s very good news for him and for the group.”
Robert Lewandowski returned from an ankle damage within the Clasico as an alternative and began in opposition to Real Sociedad however didn’t contribute a lot on both event.
A return to Germany, the place he starred with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, may be preferrred for him to get again on monitor — Barcelona missed his deadly ending within the first match in opposition to Shakhtar.
Xavi may additionally shift away from the three centre-back formation he has used within the final two video games, seemingly designed to ease defensive tasks on Joao Cancelo.
The attacking Portuguese right-back has contributed rather a lot going ahead however been a weak hyperlink on the again in his first months on the membership.
Xavi has not but discovered a system he can depend on recurrently, maybe contributing to the crew’s inconsistency.
It can be unclear what Barca’s greatest line-up is when everyone is match — an abundance of central midfielders and breakthrough abilities Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez are giving Xavi a range headache, albeit of the constructive selection.
By wrapping up qualification on Tuesday with two matches to spare, the coach will purchase himself extra time to get his geese in a row forward of way more testing fixtures within the Champions League’s later rounds.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Source: www.news18.com
