FC Barcelona are facing a highly congested schedule ahead and will have to play more than one match in the coming weeks. The Catalans have already played two games in the previous week, against Real Betis and Royal Antwerp, and will again take to the pitch today against Celta Vigo in La Liga.
With such a high number of games in these few days, Xavi will have a task on his hands to ensure that none of his starting players is too fatigued to run into the ground with his playing minutes.
Xavi has been rotating his players in the previous matches, but players like Kounde and Lewandowski have started all their games for Barcelona.
Xavi looking to rest two midfielders
However, other players like Gavi and Frenkie de Jong have also appeared for Barcelona in almost all their matches this season and are also in need of a rest.
According to SPORT, Xavi will rest these two players, along with Lewandowski, in the upcoming two games. The report mentions that the club has planned to make one of these midfielders a substitute for tonight’s match and the other a substitute for the next match against Mallorca.
Possible team for Celta and Mallorca matches
Other important midfielders like Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu have already been rested by Xavi. Gundogan started the game against Real Betis on the bench, while Romeu did the same in the match against Royal Antwerp.
Thus, one of Gavi or De Jong would not start the game tonight, and Xavi would have to adapt his game plan according to this choice.
If Gavi is rested, Xavi will play De Jong and Romeu at the base of his midfield, while Gundogan will be playing ahead of them. On the other hand, if De Jong is rested, Gavi will accompany Romeu at the base of the midfield.
