Vitor Roque has been the only addition for FC Barcelona in the current winter transfer window, and there are a lot of expectations set on the Brazilian youngster.
The new Barcelona arrival has already made his official debut with his new club, but he is yet to meet some other important milestones, i.e. getting his first start and scoring his first goal in a Barcelona jersey.
As SPORT has noted, the Brazilian can very well get an opportunity to reach these milestones in Barcelona’s upcoming match against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Robert Lewandowski is clearly the starting striker for Xavi, and with the importance that Copa del Rey has gained in the current season, the Catalans’ attack is almost sure to be led by the Pole in this match.
However, Xavi has been substituting Lewandowski significantly before the full-time whistle for the last few matches. In the last La Liga outing against Real Betis, Xavi replaced Lewandowski with Roque with almost half an hour to play.
The match against Athletic Club is expected to be even more physically demanding, keeping in view the play style of Ernesto Valverde’s team, and the match can also go into extra time. Furthermore, Xavi has also confirmed that Roque has fully recovered from the discomfort that kept him from playing in Saudi Arabia.
Still, it is not certain that Roque will be the one to come on for Lewandowski, as Xavi also has the option of Marc Guiu available. It needs to be remembered that it was against Athletic Club that Guiu came on and scored his first goal for the Barcelona first-team in only 33 seconds back in October, and won the La Liga tie for his side.
Now, Xavi will have to decide which one of the two strikers to give a chance in the upcoming Cup game, as both of them will be gunning to show their talents on the pitch.
