The upcoming clash against Cadiz comes at an uncomfortable time for Xavi’s Barcelona. After having just overcome Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, La Blaugrana must now also worry about La Liga. However, right after the Cadiz game, the PSG clash comes immediately after for Barcelona.
As a result, rotations become more and more crucial for Xavi to consider. It is very unlikely that the Spanish manager decides to field a gala eleven against Cadiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla, and thus he knows that certain sacrifices have to be made to ensure that the best Barcelona players are available at full health to face off against PSG.
However, SPORT highlights a possibility that could be Xavi’s choice of action. The report states that there exists a chance that the Barcelona coach decides to field almost an entire eleven comprised of players who did not start in Paris and may not start against Luis Enrique’s side at the Montjuic Stadium.
In goal, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen should remain a constant given the unlikely chance that fatigue or injury gets to him. However, the surrounding players around him may end up being a completely different batch to begin with.
On the two fullback positions, Sergi Roberto and Hector Fort could end up starting to compensate for the suspensions of both Inigo Martinez and Joao Cancelo.
Marcos Alonso could be paired up with Andreas Christensen as the two center-backs as well. Since the latter misses the second leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards either way, it may be wise to pair up the two former Chelsea teammates as the central duo for Barcelona against Cadiz.
The midfield could be completely rotated as well. Both Fermin Lopez and Oriol Romeu could enter the picture, and the likes of Joao Felix and Ferran Torres could become the wide players to give them width on either one of their flanks.
That would still leave two positions up for grabs at the top of the formation, and both could be occupied by promising young strikers.
Robert Lewandowski is already suspended for this Cadiz game, and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha may need some respite. That could, reportedly, open up the door for both Marc Guiu and Vitor Roque.
Two of the most promising young strikers at Barcelona, and visibly different profiles in terms of how they play, the 18-year-old and 19-year-old strikers could be Xavi’s big gamble for the match.
