Barça looking good as new season looms
After Saturday’s El Clasico in Las Vegas, it was Barça who came out of the Allegiant Stadium clash the stronger side. The Catalan outfit excited fans who made the trip to Vegas and others around the world who woke up in the small hours to see their team in action. The Vegas game left two main conclusions for Xavi’s men....the first is that the reinforcements have come to raise the level of the team. Lewandowski looked sharp and offered glimpses of what the Camp Nou faithful can expect, he is a top player with a great understanding of the game and he will soon adapt to what Xavi asks. Raphinha is the player of the moment with hopes high for the 25-year-old and at present he is no doubted the MVP of the preseason, with two goals and two assists in two games. Christensen, who came in to Camp Nou after to a poor end to the season with Chelsea also looked promising and Kessié who started behind Gavi and Pedri, is a player with ambition and drive.
Competition
The second conclusion can be drawn through the words of Xavi: “names are not important here; this is about performance.” The coach asked Laporta and sporting director Alemany to compose a squad with two strong players per position and he’s succeeding. Up front there will be strong competition between Raphinha and Dembélé on the right flank and on the left, between Ansu and Ferran. Polish striker Lewandowski and Aubameyang will tussle for the striking role. The competition is going to see Christensen and Piqué battle it out at the back and in the center of the field, Pedri, Gavi or Kessié will be used to marshall the midfield.
Aspirations for the new campaign
Xavi’s Barça aspire to avoid the level of disconnection as was apparent last season with the new-look FC Barcelona set to be a team that constantly presses high and dictates the rhythm and tempo of the game; a team that bosses the opponent always hoping to use the newly secured firepower in the final third. Last season, Barça, started with Yusuf Demir and Braithwaite as key strikers, now, the club can boast a series of top quality forwards who will all aim do play their role in pushing the club back to the top table of Spanish football where all Culés feel they belong.