Will Xavi rest stars as Barça chase records?

The 2022/23 season has probably been one of the most demanding in living memory. With a World Cup midway through the campaign, and fixtures compacted to compensate, it meant an unprecedented physical and mental effort for the players. At Barça, after winning the club’s 27th league, several players are expected to be given a well-earned rest - especially those who have practically not had time to stop between their commitments with the club and their respective national teams.

The first team players who have accumulated the most minutes of playing time are: Robert Lewandowski, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Joules Koundé and Sergio Busquets, in that order. Others such as Pedri, Balde, De Jong, Araújo, Koundé, Raphinha and Christensen also have a significant playing time load. With the league already in the bag, Xavi could reward them with a well-deserved break and give an opportunity to those who have barely had chances all season to show their worth.

Between Barça and Germany, Ter Stegen totals 4350 minutes of playing time and he could be one of the players rested in the next game, against Real Sociedad on Saturday. His place in the side could go to Iñaki Peña, who recently renewed his contract with the club and aspires to be the German’s keeper’s main competitor for a place in the coming years. The 24-year-old, who spent six months out on loan at Galatasaray last year, has made a handful of appearances with the senior side - this season, he was given run-outs in the final Champions League group game against Viktoria Pzln and in the early rounds of the Copa del Rey.

In defence, any of the back four could be rested. Koundé, has amassed 3,969 minutes and is the defender who has played the most. His versatility has allowed him to develop both as a winger and a central defender at Barça and with France. It is highly likely that Xavi will give him a breather. Not far behind him is Balde, with 3,217 minutes between the club and the national team. Despite his youth and ability to withstand continuous physical exertion, Balde could take a back seat to allow Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso the chance to play. Likewise, Araújo (2,607 minutes) and Christensen (2,667 minutes) could both could give up their places in the XI. While it may appear that they have played less than Xavi’s regulars, they have in fact played as much as possible while they have been available. Injuries meant they missed parts of the season, but since they have recovered they have not rested and could do so now in the form of rotations.

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Barcelona’s remaining LaLiga games

In midfield, Gavi and Busquets deserve a break. The multipurpose Gavi, between Spain and Barça, has totalled 4,122 minutes, a few more than a ‘Busi’ with 3,834 minutes between the national team and the club. Players like Pablo Torre, with a lot to prove, Sergi Roberto or Franck Kessié could replace them in some or all of the four remaining league games. Then there are others like Pedri (3,272 minutes), who has played every game since he returned from injury, or De Jong (3,737 minutes), who could benefit from a spell on the bench after having made a significant physical effort.

Lastly, up front if anyone needs to take a break it’s Lewandowski. The Pole, with 4,563 minutes under his belt is hoping to end his debut season at Camp Nou with an individual award - as the top scorer in LaLiga. He is on 21 goals, four head of nearest rival Karim Benzema so might be happy to keep playing and scoring. If not, he could step aside to allow Ferran Torres or Ansu a chance to prove themselves. Xavi might decicde to could give Lewansdowski a break in at least one game, seeing as the striker has suffered several physical problems during the final stretch of the season. Raphinha, who has spent 3,185 minutes between the club and the national team, could be another of the players who drops out of the line-up if the coach rotates.

Top scorers in LaLiga 2022/23 with four games left to play

Barcelona have wrapped up the title ahead of time and can afford to sit back and enjoy the final four matches of the season. There are several records at stake and while Xavi played down setting new records in recent weeks, it would still be nice to have them to complement the silverware successes. One record that Barca are on course to break is the fewest goals conceded in one campaign. The team has let in just 13 goals in 34 games - Deportivo and Atlético share the record for the fewest goals conceded in a season of 38 games - 18 (in 1993/4 and 2015/16 respectively).

Some records have already been set - like the most clean sheets in one LaLiga season (25 so far), beating their own record of 23 set by Claudio Bravo in 2014/15. Barça are tied with Chelsea holding the all-time record out of all of the major European leagues. One more clean sheet and the record will be theirs.

Teams to have kept the most clean sheets in one season