FC Barcelona, like other sides in La Liga, have played one half of the 2023-24 season, and Xavi can assess the team’s performance in detail at this moment. The Catalans have not gotten as many results in their favour as they did last season, and it is clear that significant changes are needed in the team.
One of the main problems that have plagued Barcelona this season is the inefficiency of the team in front of goal. This problem has also been identified by Xavi as a major cause of concern for the team, and hopefully, Vitor Roque’s addition can help the squad in this regard.
Due to this lack of effectiveness in front of goal, Robert Lewandowski has faced a lot of criticism this season. He is one of the most experienced players in the squad and was the only natural striker in the team in the first half of the season. Thus, he had a major goalscoring burden on him.
In addition to Lewandowski, supporting forwards like Joao Felix and Raphinha have also not been as clinical in front of goal. However, as the journalist Luis F. Rojo has reported, there is another aspect in which Lewandowski and Felix are underperforming.
The journalist mentions that Lewandowski and Felix do not press their opponents as vigorously as their teammates, and thus are no longer untouchable players in the starting lineup.
Xavi recently commented in a press conference that no player would be a holy cow in the squad, and every one will have to earn a place with his performances. Furthermore, pressing has always been an important part of Xavi’s coaching philosophy, so Lewandowski and Felix losing importance due to lack of pressing makes sense.
It is also important for every player to press actively in a high-pressing team, as a lack of involvement from any of them can lead to defensively dangerous situations for the team. Thus, pushing these players to put a more emphasis on pressing from the very front can significantly improve the team’s performance in this second half of the season.
