Recovered the best version, with the team repaired in defense and exhibiting punch in attack, at Barça Now it’s his turn to make his way in LaLiga, circulating at his leisure, beating all his rivals, whoever they may be. Like Elche (4:15 p.m./Movistar LaLiga), today at the Martinez Valero. If they win, the day can bring a double play: secure a place in the Champions League and take advantage of the result of the Betis-Athletes to climb to third place in the event of a Betis defeat. Above, the Sevilla he dropped two more points to the Alaves.
The Barça is full of positive dynamics that has allowed him to recover league ground, to be one point behind Betis (46 for 45) with one game less and with the same as Atlético (45) with worse goal-average (+18 for +13). The statistics blow in favor. They have gone 7 official matches without losing (5 wins and 2 draws), chained 10 days without losing (6 wins and 4 draws and 13 of the last 15 points) and 9 in a row away from home (4 wins and 5 draws). And it is that Xavi has turned Barça into a feared team as a visitor. Since he fell to Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas, a game that cost him his job Ronald Koeman, the azulgrana team has not stopped scratching points as a foreigner. Doesn’t matter what the opponent is Villarreal, Seville, Espanyol or Valenciarecent Cup finalist, or Alavés, Mallorca or Osasuna.
The team has been able to respond to the methods of the Terrassa coach. They are in ‘effective mode’. Almost all have recovered their best tone and the arrival of the four winter signings have given that necessary and urgent bonus to take flight. Now they all add up to the squad and in good shape, any choice of the starting eleven is logical. Except for the limitations in defense, more conditioned by injuries and sanctions, Xavi has a good wardrobe, also thinking about the clash of the round of 16 of the Europa League against the Turkish Galatasaray, which will be played on the 10th of March.
The eleven will be, in any case, fully guaranteed. With Xavi there are no starters or substitutes. Maybe someone like Ferran Torres, which is playing practically everything, or another that resembles it. Before him Elche there will be tweaks. In defence, Araujo could cede his place to Pique; in the middle, Busquets would rest for the benefit of Frenkie de Jongwho comes from being a substitute, and whose confidence is total and in attack, Dembele would enter one of the extremes, returning to Adam to the bench. Aubameyang It looks like everything, because it is also on a roll, which will continue at the point of attack. and it’s always Luke de Jongultimately synonymous with effectiveness.
Whoever plays, it will not be easy. Elche, with Francisco on the bench, has only given up a draw in their stadium in five games, is in a comfortable position in the table and does not want to waste the option of taking a new step towards salvation. If necessary, it will change the system. It also comes from receiving a severe wake-up call after the unexpected win conceded during his visit to the bottom team Levante. Pedro Bigas and Helibelton Palacios are out due to injury and Gerard Gumbauwhich is sanctioned. Marcone and Shepherd are doubt
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