The match against Mallorca was an opportunity for Barcelona to rotate and reflect. While this made the victory much more difficult to obtain, it was still a necessary step. Ultimately, rotations are exactly what Xavi went for with Barcelona, albeit with some surprises.
One of the biggest changes was the choice to make Robert Lewandowski sit out at the start of the game. In his stead, many expected a certain Brazilian youngster to finally get another start, but the opportunity was instead handed to a Spaniard by the name of Marc Guiu.
Consequently, many faces were left puzzled and confused as to why the Brazilian forward in question continues to get pushed away. However, one face that remained unfazed was that of the player himself
In fact, according to AS, the decision aided 19-year-old Vitor Roque in releasing those frustrations into the game. As soon as he was finally given his long-awaited opportunity once more, Roque sprung into action and rekindled a rather stagnant Barcelona attack.
Replacing Joao Felix, the young Brazilian forward came out ready to fight. Winning duels, making smart runs, playing good passes, and dribbling past opponents with too much ease at times, the former Athletico Paranaense forward became a little too much for Mallorca to handle within the Barcelona attack.
The restricted movements and limited chances created by his teammates were no longer easy for Mallorca to deal with. Opening space was something the Brazilian did quite well, and it caused problems to Javier Aguirre’s well-drilled side.
While he may not have been trusted too much in recent games, even when goals were needed or titles were on the line, the season is still there for Vitor Roque to impress. A hefty fee was attached to his name, but there is great belief in the abilities of the Brazilian talent.
Even Xavi himself spoke about the great virtues of the forward after the game. However, he made sure to highlight that Roque needs time to adapt and improve. Yet, beyond just adaptation, Roque also needs time to play and showcase his abilities on the field on a regular basis.
