FC Barcelona face Alaves in their next match in La Liga. While Barcelona would normally be expected to have a walk in the park in such games, the poor form that the Catalan club has shown in the last few games is a cause of concern.
Thus, Xavi will be looking to reverse this poor form and get the team to play a good game, especially so the players can leave for the international break with high morale. For this purpose, Xavi is expected to make significant changes to his team.
Xavi looking to reverse poor form
As SPORT has reported, the Barcelona head coach will make several changes to his team in order to experiment a bit and ensure the Catalans can play a good game.
One of the problems that Barcelona are facing this season is their defensive fragility, which is felt even more sharply after the good numbers that the backline kept during the last season. Thus, Xavi can go back to the backline that kept the goal water-tight last season and keep three center-backs for this game.
Changes in three core areas
With such a scheme, Xavi will start with Kounde and Inigo Martinez in the center and Ronald Araujo in the right-back position, while the left flank will be taken by Balde or Cancelo, keeping in view the poor form of the former in recent matches.
Significant changes are also expected in the midfield, with Oriol Romeu in the starting lineup, accompanied by two creative midfielders, most probably Gundogan and Pedri. If Gundogan is rested, Fermin Lopez can start in his position.
Xavi also wants his attacking line to be more effective and generate more chances for Robert Lewandowski. For this purpose, Xavi can play two wingers. With such a setup, Lamine Yamal will enter the starting lineup after the last four games, along with Felix and Lewandowski.
