FC BARCELONA
What are Barcelona’s objectives for the rest of the season?
Barça want to take advantage of the remaining league games to achieve certain objectives, with both collective records and individual titles being the priority.
The Catalan club have stormed to the domestic title this season, conceding just two goals at home all season and leaving Real Madrid picking up the pieces while they squint their eyes looking ahead to try and catch a glimpse of their rivals who seem to have been ahead of them for the entire campaign.
While the football may not have been scintillating all the time, Xavi have shown a level of flexibility and - here comes that word - pragmatism, that many believed he would not possess. Barça don’t mind switching up the style and while their fundamentals remain the same, the way in which they arrive at the goal at the right end of the pitch is multi-faceted.
With La Liga already in their pocket, it might seem that the remaining games are simply a formality prior to the end of the season. But for Xavi and his Barça side, things are not like that. The team have certain objectives that give them plenty of motivation for the next matches.
Objective 1: Team records
Given how well they have performed all season, Xavi’s side are aspiring to achieve certain records, and the first and most coveted of them is to have the best defensive record in Europe. Barça want to beat the record held by José Mourinho’s Chelsea, who conceded just 15 goals in the 2004/05 league season. The Spanish team have currently conceded 13 goals this season and have four games to go. In terms of a national record, the number stands at 18 goals conceded, making them more likely to achieve it.
The other record in mind is finishing the season with the biggest points lead in history. Currently, that record is held by Barça from the 2012-2013 season, with a difference of 15 points over Real Madrid. Currently, Barça have a lead of 14, which can still be increased; Real Madrid’s departure from the Champions League, which effectively ending their season, may help them with that.
Objective 2: Individual numbers
Apart from the collective numbers, some of Xavi’s players are on the verge of reaching individual records. Just as the defence will fight to be remembered as one of the best in history, players like Ter Stegen or Lewandowski will also look for their own achievements. The German has one hand on his first Zamora trophy (awarded to the best goalkeeper), while the Polish striker is close to his first top scorer award - the Pichichi - in the Spanish league championship.
Objective 3: Planning for next season
Although it is true that the games that remain are important, there is no pressure riding on them. This could allow for Xavi to potentially make rotations and involve less used players such as Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pablo Torre. These players, if they are given minutes, will have to show that they are valid options for the Barça of the future and that they deserve to continue at the club. Their performances can help the board of directors decide over their immediate future, whether they should stay or seek pastures new.
Objective 4: Youth player development
Another objective for these last four games, although less likely, may be to give more prominence to the youth players. The younger footballers from the lower ranks could see themselves involved in first team duties to some extent which would helps them to grow professionally and personally.
Although it cannot be ruled out that this could happen, Barça Atlètic - the club’s ‘B team’ - are vying for promotion to the SmartBank League, which could prevent them from getting too involved. In addition, Lamine Yamal has been called up to Spain’s u-17 Euro squad, which will prevent him from having more minutes at Barça this season.
After a practically impeccable league in so many ways, FC Barcelona will seek to finish off their 27th domestic championship title with several awards and records that remain within reach as well as looking to what may lie ahead in the future of the club.
LaLiga Santander 2022/2023
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Barcelona | 85 | 27 | 4 | 3 |
| 2Real Madrid | 71 | 22 | 5 | 7 |
| 3Atlético | 69 | 21 | 6 | 7 |
| Upcoming matches | |
|---|---|
| Barcelona - R. Sociedad | S-20/05 15:00 |
| Real Valladolid - Barcelona | T-23/05 16:00 |
| Barcelona - Mallorca | S-28/05 13:00 |
*Data updated to date May 18th, 2023