Despite scoring three goals, FC Barcelona were unable to win their last La Liga match against Granada. One can argue the absence of Ronald Araujo in this match could have had a significant impact on the final outcome of the game, as he is a key defender for Xavi.
However, it was not only Araujo that was missing in this match, as Vitor Roque was also suspended and his presence could have provided Xavi with another potent goal threat in the final phases of the game. Now, having served his suspension, the Brazilian will be available for the match against Celta de Vigo.
According to SPORT, Xavi is counting on him to help the team get a good result in the Celta match which is the only one scheduled before the game against Napoli in the Champions League, and then help the team in this key latter fixture as well.
Vitor Roque was the only addition made by Barcelona in the last summer transfer window, and Xavi was quick to recognize his talent once he arrived at the club.
However, the head coach decided to take a gradual approach with the youngster, especially as Roque was coming from a two-month spell on the sidelines with an injury, and another month of vacation.
Roque tried hard to announce his arrival with a bang in his first few appearances, but his inaccuracy led to some suspicions about his abilities. However, the Brazilian was quick to dispel such murmurs with his great goalscoring performances against Osasuna and Alaves.
Roque scored against Alaves with his very first touch, but his involvement in this game was cut short by the two yellow cards that the referee showed him in a five-minute sequence, and he had to leave the pitch. Barcelona appealed against his second yellow, but the penalty stood and Roque had to miss that match.
Now with Roque and Raphinha both available, Xavi will have a lot more breathing space in attack for the Celta and Napoli matches, even though important players like Joao Felix and Ferran Torres are out with injuries.
