Football can be a very demanding sport, and FC Barcelona are no strangers to this. Taking into consideration this new updated calendar, games often have very little time of respite between them. As such, Barcelona and other European sides have had their squad depth tested to the maximum.
Even now as teams enjoy their winter holidays, the looming threat of 2024 awaits. Half a season is still yet to be played by Barcelona, and there are four separate competitions at stake.
Having just played an exhausting game against Club America, the players are currently enjoying some rest. However, right after the holidays, the month of January will be a particularly demanding one.
As highlighted by SPORT, Barcelona are set to play six or seven games in the span of 27 days. Moreover, many of those games will involve needing the Catalans to travel away from home. In fact, the first home game in January will take place on the 28th of that month.
First up for FC Barcelona will be a clash against UD Las Palmas in La Liga. Scheduled to take place on the 4th of January, it will take Barcelona away to the Estadio de Gran Canaria. Then comes a trip away to Barbastro, who are Barça’s opponents for the Copa Del Ray Round of 32.
Soon after, Xavi’s side will travel to Saudi Arabia to take on Osasuna in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup.
In the scenario that Barcelona manages to win that game, they would then have to play the final as well. That final would be against either of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who contest in the other semifinal.
Following the conclusion of the Spanish Super Cup, whatever it may be, Barcelona will then face another difficult away trip. This time, it will be to the Benito Villamarin, where Real Betis awaits. This La Liga clash is scheduled to take place on the 21st of January.
Then, two difficult games come in the shape of matches against Villarreal and Osasuna in La Liga. However, both of these games will take place at home in the Montjuic Stadium. The first clash is scheduled for the 28th, while the latter will take place on the 30th.