The final stretch of the season is here for Barcelona, and Xavi’s team has to make the most of it. La Blaugrana have hardly had an ideal season, but it is one that is still salvageable to a degree. However; to ensure that it is, Barcelona will need to make the most of all their assets.
One of those assets is the great depth they have in various positions. Even with several key stars injured this season, Barcelona have managed to stay afloat thanks to the presence of their strong alternatives this season.
However, the ability of Barça’s alternative options will once again be tested against Cadiz in their next La Liga outing. As it stands, neither Robert Lewandowski nor Joao Cancelo will be able to feature for Barcelona in that encounter. Due to their accumulation of yellow cards, both stars will have to miss out on that important fixture.
In their stead, however, opportunities glance for the likes of Vitor Roque. However, they may not come to him in the most conventional of ways. According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi’s new plan with the 18-year-old Brazilian striker will be to test him out in roles besides just that of the central striker.
For Xavi, the Brazilian arrival has the potential to be able to play in multiple roles across the frontline. With Ferran Torres also an option to play as the team’s primary striker in Lewandowski’s absence, Barcelona could rely on Roque to potentially start as the primary left-winger.
Thus, his training sessions in recent times have also been far from orthodox. Now being seen as a player who can play both as a winger and potentially even as an attacking midfielder, the opportunities for the Barcelona forward could increase drastically in the coming matchdays.
As per Xavi’s words himself, he seems to think that the youngster thrives when playing alongside a more physical number 9. This could help him if Ferran Torres plays alongside him as well, acting as a substitute for Lewandowski, someone who did in fact seem to suit Roque as a partner in the Barcelona attack.
