FC Barcelona want to continue fighting this season for all the titles at their disposal. However, the problem is that they need to rely on all of their depth to do that effectively. For Barcelona, the primary issue in doing that is the lack of equal quality across their squad.
One of those who has come under a lot of fire recently due to his inconsistent performances has been Oriol Romeu. The former Girona man has been highlighted on several occasions as being a clear weak link in the team.
Consequently, it has also led to him being excluded from first-team action a lot more compared to his importance at the start of the season. However, he seems to have regained at least some of his best sensations, according to SPORT.
In the latest outing against Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa Del Ray, Romeu was once again trusted by Xavi as a starter. A rare sight these days, but it was one that allowed Romeu a chance to show his quality again. Most importantly, that is exactly what he managed to do.
Xavi claimed before the match that Romeu would:
“…participate and be important.”
Sure enough, the coach remained true to his word. Even once Barcelona conceded first, Xavi did not take Romeu off. This is something uncommon given that in the game against Royal Antwerp, Romeu was in fact taken off when Barça ended up faltering in the first half.
This time, however, he was not taken off and instead allowed to play the whole game. Not only did he manage to play a good match, it also undoubtedly gave him an extra boost of confidence.
Even the player himself spoke about his form and value in the team on a mature note:
“In the end, there are always ups and downs in a footballer’s career. I’ve had to go through one, and I’ve tried to manage it with daily work. I’ve sought solutions, and in the end, the good feelings always come.”
Interestingly, he continues to play his best football whenever he is paired with Frenkie De Jong. The Dutchman continues to be a catalyst for almost everyone around him, but Romeu especially seems to value his quality next to him as it enables him to play with a little bit less pressure on him.