THE LAST 'PROBLEM' FOR XAVI
Xavi's dilemma at Barça's left back
The departure of Joao Cancelo on the left side causes Xavi Hernández to have to make a complicated, but decisive decision at FC Barcelona in the face of the next matches: Will Alejandro Balde return to the XI?
Xavi Hernández is in front of a new crossing in the FC Barcelona. After the good performance of the team in the second half, against the Port wine in the Champions League, are many the questions that have remained regarding the approach of the trainer of face to the next parties. The subject of the left side will open a big debate, with two protagonists: Alejandro Balde and Joao Cancel, the one who signed his best party of the season from the left-handed band.
Already it had played the international with Portugal in this position, against the Sportive Alavés, but his performance had not been so optimum. In the crash of the League of Champions felt partícipe of each action on the terrain of game, risked and broke a diagram of a Barça that did not feel comfortable but that, from the talent and the persistence, carried out a decisive party that ensured them his presence in the draw of the eighth of final of the continental tournament.
The big 'problem' that has Xavi
The true is that it would not be a surprise that Cancel remained in the left side. From there it lived his best years in the Manchester City and converted no only in one of the most decisive sides of the world, but in a complete player. It is where better go out to relucir his characteristics and technical quality, as long as it see compensated by the team to defensive level. It is a point that, as it comes insisting in the last hours, prejudices to Alejandro Balde.
The player of 20 years, formed in The Masia, has lost his condition of indisputable in the XI of the Barça. It is not having the start of season that expected and has stepped backwards regarding the importance that had added in the 2022/2023, that had allowed him 'seat' to Jordi Alba, give the jump to the absolute selection of Spain and turn into an essential player in the plans of Xavi Hernández. His solvency, good start and capacity to visit the band and propiciar good attacks catapulted him, but in this course his incidence is not being the same.
The defensive order will play a key factor
The debate is open and the task for the trainer egarense is not simple, because they go in a lot of factors at stake. The good understanding between the 'Joaos' by the band, key for the traced back against the Port wine, also wins weight and the fact of, also, compensate to defensive level. So much I Cancel like Balde are lateral ultra offensive and, having them to the two in the lawn, runs the constant risk to leave unprotected to the two head offices, because the support does not arrive to time. It has been one of the crosses of the team in this season.
Instead, opting by any of the two and reinforce the right-handed band with Ronald Araújo, as against the Port wine, or Jules Koundé, leaves to the most backed team and with defensive solutions. The charrúa is one of the best defenders in the 1vs1 and is key to brake the advances of the rivals by the band, by what surely will be a bet that will repeat the trainer in a few occasions. The task luce, as little, complicated for Xavi.
