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The XI of FC Barcelona in the League match against Cádiz

XAVI ALREADY HAS THE IDEAL SQUAD

Reasons to trust that Barça will finally fight for the Champions League again

Published:3/09/2023 - 08:33h

Updated:3/09/2023 - 13:13h

FC Barcelona will return to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League with the obligation to recover the leading role lost in recent years. A favorable draw and a reinforced squad line by line give reason to be excited

Calendar of FC Barcelona

After two seasons for the forget, in the 2023/24 there are not excuses for the FC Barcelona to international level. So much the staff like the technical body have learnt of the errors of the past and, with the reinforcements arrived in summer and a very favourable draw, everything seems to range in favour of the interests culés. For the Barça, the obligation goes through to lead the group and, from February, arrive at least to chambers.

And it is that, after two consecutive years going down to the Europe League, the club can not give the luxury to consummate a new European failure. The directive attained to evade the financial crisis with five signings that answer to the requirements of Xavi Hernández and, although the staff is mildly shorter that in the 22/23, the team is armed according to what the technical body had in mind. In this sense, is clear that neither Port wine, Shakthar or Amberes are in equality of conditions to compete with the group blaugrana.

A solid defence after long

The past season, the Barça had two faces to defensive level: in League was a bolt, with hardly 15 so many fit in the first 33 days. In Champions, the team remained went with 12 so many received in six parties. Now, with the arrivals of Iñigo Martínez and Joao Cancel, mainly, the club goes back to have a solid defence and 'top' after long, in addition to having the best goalkeeper in Europe in this moment (Ter Stegen).

The luso is a guarantee in the right lane, while Alejandro Balde luce every time better by left. In the centre, the pair Araújo-Koundé is the one who gives more confidence, but Iñigo and Christensen are smart to surrender when it require them . And, besides, they are Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto, two players that do not go through his best moment, but with the experience and necessary hierarchy to help to the group.

The society Gündogan-Pedri and a centre of the most balanced field

In the centre of the field, the exits of Busquets, Kessié and Pablo Tower leave fewer available variants, but the fast adaptation of Oriol Romeu and the big moment of Frenkie of Jong give tranquility. And, in the creation, Pedri explains this year with Ílkay Gündogan, an ideal partner for the game culé. The signing of the ex captain of the Manchester City is a luxury and the Barça expects to take out the maximum rédito possible of his society with the Canarian, as long as to the '8' respect him the injuries.

Like revulsivo, Gavi aims to be the 'covered' to give freshness to the centre of the field. Even I Cancel and Sergi Roberto can do the duties advancing lines when it need them . Also it can be key the contribution of Fermín López, a player that has won the place after a stupendous summer. In comparison to the past season, there is less depth, but more available quality in the medullary.

The Barça follows having a lot of offensive power

Regarding the forward, the club follows without having a '9' acting of Robert Lewandowski, but the explosion of Lamine Yamal and the arrival of Joao Félix have to do forget quickly the absences of Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembélé. Raphinha Will have to struggle with the luso by a place, while Ferran Torres will look for to do a gap to base of goals coming from the bench. The potholes goleadores of 'Lewy' concern and there are fewer available variants that does a year. However, still there is sufficient offensive power as to do the difference in Europe.

A technical body with more experience

For Xavi, this will be his second complete season in the Barça. After the sticks suffered in 2021 and 2022, in addition to the fiascos in Europe League, the technical body has very learnt the lesson. Likewise, the obtaining of LaLiga gave more confidence to the project that leads the one of Terrassa. It is not the same encarar the Champions being head of series and the club already took advantage of the profits to be in the bass drum 1 of the draw with a very accessible group.

This is the moment to recover the stray prestige. Step by step, but with a winning mentality. In Champions can not especular neither give at all and it is necessary to go out with the best that have . If the injuries go back to complicate the panorama, there is sufficient depth to go out forward. And, to be necessary, can look for some reinforcement in winter, but first is necessary to do the duties ensuring the leadership of the group.