The defeat to Girona has caused more than just a few headaches for FC Barcelona. La Blaugrana know that their league aspirations for this season hang on by a thread, but the consequences will go beyond this campaign. For now, Barcelona are already looking at the ways they must make things right.
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, was particularly furious after the loss to Girona. His exclamations have already been reported by several outlets, but the repercussions do not just stop at simple cries of frustration. Instead, there will be legitimately gruesome consequences of this game.
Hailed as the last great encounter for Barcelona this season to solidify their position in second place, Barça failed to make it count. However, the blame is now being directed towards the player, instead of the coach for once.
In terms of the game plan, Xavi’s approach actually had Michel’s Girona gasping for air for the first hour or so, but due to individual lapses in the final quarter or so of the game due to both fatigue and errors, Barcelona lost all of their footing.
Now, as per SPORT, the players who have failed to live up to their promises are no longer untouchable. The consequences are set to see many different names be placed on the transfer market and Barcelona now being open to letting those names go in the event that the right price arrives.
Both Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde, for instance, are no longer untouchables. Barcelona is openly willing to listen to offers for them and Joao Cancelo’s continuity is no longer seen as a priority either.
Instead, Barcelona will rely on the youth of Pau Cubarsi and others like Mikayil Faye, while a veteran presence such as that of Inigo Martinez is expected to continue at the club and provide both experience and quality.
The arrival of a pivot is now expected to be a certainty for the club, and while Andreas Christensen has been a solid alternative, he does not have the physical capabilities to play as a pivot for entire games at a time. Oriol Romeu, as a consequence as well, will likely part ways with Barcelona.
Frenkie De Jong is another name that Barcelona are now more than willing to sell. The Dutchman is a quality player, but he has been unable to come out of his shell and explode the way he has been expected to do so since his arrival from Ajax.
Others like Pedri, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez will be entrusted to help the team in the future. Gavi’s return will be seen as a new signing, given that he missed a lot of the season due to a severe injury and his absence has had a huge impact on Barcelona as well.
Up front, both Robert Lewandowski and Vitor Roque provide their unique dilemmas for Barcelona. The Polish striker seems to be far from his best, and even though he still manages to score at a decent rate, his sharpness and dynamism are no longer there.
Vitor Roque, on the other hand, is seen as too raw a product to even be considered as a starting striker for Barça at the moment. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, however, are expected to stay as guarantees. Both Spaniards have a touch of flashiness about them, with Yamal already being hailed as the future of Barcelona itself.
Torres, on the other hand, continues to be a dedicated servant to the team and Xavi appreciates his presence and commitment. Marc Guiu is another candidate who will likely have a more prominent role as well.
On the flip side of things, both Joao Felix and Raphinha are not given any guarantees. The Portuguese star will likely not get to stay at Barça, while the Brazilian winger, despite his recent good performances, is seen as a solid asset worth profiting off of in the event of a good sale.
