A grueling ninety minutes awaited Barcelona once they took on Manchester United midweek at Spotify Camp Nou. Though Xavi Hernández’s males had been favorites with residence benefit, they had been fortunate to flee with a 2-2 draw.

On Sunday evening, the blaugrana step onto the Camp Nou grass as soon as extra forward of the difficult second leg in opposition to Manchester United. They obtain Cádiz, a crew that they simply dismantled on the Ramón de Carranza Stadium, however which they’ve discovered troublesome to take care of at residence in recent times.

Sergio’s males at the moment sit sixteenth within the league desk, having received simply 5 of their 21 video games up to now. Nevertheless, they’ve remarkably crushed Atletico Madrid this season and go into Sunday’s sport with a dominating win over Girona.

Barça Common brings you three matters of dialog earlier than Barcelona-Cádiz.

1. Drastic adjustments in midfield

Sunday’s sport in opposition to Cádiz may have been the evening that Xavi Hernández as soon as once more had a completely match midfield at his disposal. Nevertheless, it was not meant to be.

Barcelona suffered a serious blow midweek in opposition to Manchester United when Pedri injured his thigh within the first half. The younger star is anticipated to be sidelined for near a month, solely returning to motion for the second Clásico in March.

Whereas a midfielder went to the therapy desk, Xavi will probably be compensated by the return of Sergio Busquets. The captain obtained a medical clearance at the moment and he’s anticipated to begin within the night to get his rhythm again earlier than subsequent week’s conflict at Outdated Trafford.

Xavi’s selection of midfield for Sunday’s sport thus turns into essential. Busquets and Frenkie de Jong have secured a spot in opposition to Cádiz and it’s nearly sure that Gavi will proceed on the left wing. The doubt, nonetheless, is within the third place within the midfield.

Purely due to the coach’s choices in latest video games, Franck Kessie is best positioned to begin because the third midfielder. Nevertheless, there’s a robust case for the inclusion of Pable Torre.

The teenager has hardly seen any motion as a first-team participant up to now this season, however he’s the closest profile to the lacking Pedri. If Xavi plans to make use of Torre to upset Erik ten Hag at Outdated Trafford, beginning the teenager on Sunday might be guess.

2. Suspension of Ronald Araujo

With the second leg of the Europa League tie lower than every week away, rotations are definitely a giant issue on Xavi’s thoughts. Thus, Ronald Araujo’s suspension comes on the excellent time because the Uruguayan would have been rested on Sunday regardless of every part.

Moreover, Jules Kounde may also be anticipated to begin on the bench, with Sergi Roberto at right-back. In central defence, Andreas Christensen will lead the cost after lacking a lot of the conflict in opposition to Manchester United. It’s doubtless that he will probably be accompanied by Eric Garcia, for the reason that the farmhouse The graduate hopes to regain misplaced prominence.

The conflict in opposition to Cádiz thus turns into important as proof of the solidity of the Barcelona bench in protection. The Catalans have by no means crushed Sergio’s males at residence since their promotion to the primary division and even misplaced to them on the Spotify Camp Nou final season.

The necessity for confidence is actual forward of a troublesome sport in Europe subsequent week, and protection will probably be essential if Barca are to clinch victory in their very own den on Sunday.

3. It is time for the Polish Specific to restart

Robert Lewandowski’s good type in entrance of purpose was one among Barcelona’s Most worthy belongings within the first half of the season. Till the worldwide break in November, the Polish striker gave the impression to be an unstoppable scoring machine, climbing to the highest of the Liga scoring charts.

The story after the World Cup has been utterly completely different. Lewandowski has been elementary within the mixed sport of the Catalans within the final third, however he not has the X issue to outline.

Their struggles in entrance of purpose have come again to chunk Barcelona, ​​as exemplified within the Europa League sport midweek. In ninety minutes, the Pole managed just one shot on purpose and posted a mediocre xG of 0.14.

Xavi wants his star striker to step up, and to do it quickly. Barcelona have confirmed to own various sources of objectives in latest video games, however Lewandowski’s return to type would take them to a complete new stage and help his profession on all fronts.