Xavi could select experienced side for Barcelona’s LaLiga clash with Atlético Madrid

Xavi decided to give his Barcelona team some more experience against Porto, except in goal, where he would have done so had Marc-André ter Stegen been able to play. He fielded one player at least 30 years old per position (Iñigo, Gündogan and Lewandowski) and left out the younger players he had available (Balde, Lamine Yamal, Fermín).

The match against Porto required players with more weight which led to Xavi selecting a more experienced side. The match against the Portuguese side raised the average age to 27.2 years. It’s an average that would have risen if the injured Ter Stegen (31) had played instead of Iñaki Peña (24).

There was one 30-year-old per position: Iñigo Martinez (32), Gündogan (33) and Lewandowski (35). João Cancelo (29), Raphinha (27), Frenkie de Jong (26) and Jules Koundé (25) all played. Even the younger players, such as Ronald Araújo (24), João Félix (24) and Pedri (21) have plenty of experience behind them.

Same eleven against Atlético?

At a time of pressure, which can be suffocating at times at Barça, Xavi wanted to work on certainties and not put any extra pressure on the club’s young players, who are already playing their part in the squad. Barring any surprises, the coach from Terrassa will repeat the same eleven for the game against Atlético Madrid on Sunday because, apart from Koundé's mistakes and Lewandowski’s poor form, the rest of the players performed in midweek.