You know your team is in trouble when press conferences are bigger occasions than football matches. But for Barcelona, it must change as soon as possible.It’s time to turn the page and look forward. Despite having played a midweek match, Barcelona and their supporters have been talking about Xavi Hernandez’s departure since last Saturday. Barca got a meagre victory against Osasuna, where the team again showed a poor, flat performance. Therefore, it’s time to set aside the coach – both the present and the future – and focus on the pitch.It’s the players’ moment to prove themselves in the remaining four months of the season because most of them will continue next season. Now it’s time to get involved in the fight for the league, provided that Real Madrid and Girona allow it, and compete in the Champions League, where Napoli awaits in the round of 16 in less than three weeks.Laporta: I am not resigning! Real Madrid have been helped by the referees for 70 yearsBut the first major obstacle will be Vitoria against Alaves, which has three wins and a draw in the league so far in 2024. Mendizorroza awaits Barcelona with a great atmosphere, as usual when the Catalans come to town. And Barcelona, who travelled to the Basque capital yesterday, faces the challenge of a plague of injuries, although they welcomed Inigo Martinez back. Ferran Torres, the latest addition to this extensive list, Joao Felix, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Balde, Marcos Alonso, Gavi, and Ter Stegen are out with various injuries. That’s why Xavi had to rely again on youth and took up to nine players from the B or youth teams. In addition to Lamine Yamal, who is now considered part of the first team, Kochen, Astralaga, Casado, Cubarsi, Unai Hernandez, Pau Victor, Marc Guiu, and Hector Fort travelled to Vitoria.##NAJAVA_MECA_7845195##With this scenario, Xavi has few options beyond what he presented against Osasuna on Wednesday. The two big doubts in the lineup are who will be the centre-back and the left winger because the rest seems clear. Inaki Pena in goal, and Kounde, Araujo, and Cancelo almost assuredly in defence. It remains to be seen whether Pau Cubarsí or Christiensen will partner with the Uruguayan in the centre of defence because Inigo Martínez arrives with little rhythm. The midfield points to De Jong as the pivot, flanked by Gundogan and Pedri, while Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal seem fixed upfront. The last spot in the starting eleven is disputed between Fermin, one of the best against Osasuna, and Vitor Roque, who scored the winning goal.Alaves, on the other hand, arrives with significant absences, such as Gorosabel, suspended, Kike Garcia, and Carlos Vicente, but threatened with Samu or Luis Rioja, on a hot streak in recent games.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 23FridayAthletic Club – Mallorca 4-0 (2-0)/Berchiche 3, 16, Guruzeta 62, Muniain 89/Saturday16:00: (1.67) Valencia (3.70) Almeria (5.50)18:15: (2.45) Granada (3.30) Las Palmas (3.20)20:30: (4.00) Alaves (3.50) Barcelona (1.92)23:00: (2.25) Girona (3.50) Sociedad (3.40)Sunday16:00: (1.63) Villareal (3.80) Cadiz (5.70)18:15: (2.40) Osasuna (3.10) Celta (3.20)20:30: (1.95) Betis (3.35) Getafe (4.20)23:00: (1.80) Real Madrid (3.70) Atl.Madrid (5.00)Monday23:00: (2.25) Rayo Vallecano (3.35) Sevilla (3.50)***odds are subject to change***
