THE 'JOAOS' HAVE PLAYED EVERYTHING
Xavi's position with the overload of minutes of Joao Félix and Cancelo
One of the big doubts, in the run-up to FC Barcelona's return to work, is how Xavi Hernández will manage the minutes of the players who have been most demanded. The cases of Joao Félix and Joao Cancelo are the most worrying
In normal conditions, the party of the FC Barcelona against the Athletic would be one so that Xavi Hernández bet by the rotations or, at least, could give rest to some players, but in the middle of the plague of injuries and the short that already is the staff, the trainer egarense sees forced to bet by his 'plan To' with very few changes. Has a challenge by in front, but does not have more options to pose the party.
Between the players that more concern and that, in paper, would have to rest in front of the bilbaínos, are Joao Cancel and Joao Félix. From the last stop of selections, have been two of the most used footballers in the Barça and also in Portugal. In the case of the right side, accumulates nine consecutive headlines: Betis, Amberes, Celtic, Mallorca, Seville, Port wine and Granada, in addition to the two commitments against Slovakia and Bosnia, in which it also saw goal.
The defender will return to Barcelona with 180 minutes of action under the orders of Roberto Martínez to which it will be necessary to add him the 616' that had had with the Barça. From 16 September, when it signed his first titularity with the Barcelona, has played it absolutely everything. It is foreseen that it go back to play against the Athletic Club, the Sunday in Montjuïc, although the option that Sergi Roberto like right side will have to be on the table, at least for the second part.
Joao Félix has it more difficult
With Joao Félix the history is very similar. Since it played against the Betis, with première goleador and assistance 'ghost' to Lewandowski, the one of Viseu has been headline in all the parties of the blaugrana, although it has been substituted in the second part in five of them. They are 516 minutes of action to which it is necessary to add them other 115 with the Portuguese selection. To the equal that his compatriot, in normal conditions would have to rest in front of the Athletic, but seems an impossible option.
And it is that in the leading is where there are more doubts in the Barça, especially because desconoce if Lamine Yamal will be available, finally, by the injury in the psoas ilíaco of the left leg that suffered before the stop of selections. In paper could be in conditions to play, but the reality is that Xavi only has to two healthy attackers for the crash: Joao Félix and Ferran Torres. Both will be 'forced' to play, except physical complication of last hour.
