The Catalan giants went from ninth to second in La Liga after a 15-game winning streak, with Xavi bringing a positive vibe back to the club. Last month’s 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu left Barcelona fans dreaming as they felt the good times were returning to the Nou Camp. Barca has been pulled back down to earth in the previous week, having been knocked out of the Europa League by Frankfurt and then losing 1-0 to relegation-threatened Cadiz on Monday.
FC Barcelona enters the 2021-2022 season with several personnel changes, including the surprise departure of Leo Messi, but to win as many titles as possible. On the field, the man whose injury has made Barcelona a lot less appealing to watch, Pedri, has to be the biggest winner. In such a short period, the teenager’s development under Xavi has been truly astounding. Dembélé has also improved, as he now has more assists than anyone else in Europe’s top five divisions in 2022.
In just two seasons at Barca, Oscar Mingueza has made 61 appearances for the first squad. Last season, he appeared five times in their Copa Del Rey success, including the 4-0 final victory over Athletic Bilbao.
For Thursday’s LaLiga match against Real Sociedad at Anoeta, Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique return to the Barcelona team. Due to suspension, Araujo missed Barça’s 1-0 win over Cadiz, while Pique has missed the following three games due to injury.
Some Players will be eligible this week as Xavi Hernandez’s side looks to rebound from consecutive losses to Eintracht Frankfurt and Cadiz. Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati, and Samuel Umtiti have all returned to training but will have to wait for a chance to play competitive football again. Meanwhile, Pedri is still out and is unlikely to play again this season.
Dani Alves was Xavi Hernandez’s first signing at Camp Nou, and he was one of a quartet of January newcomers that have altered Xavi’s Barcelona, who have gone undefeated in La Liga since early December. The Catalan club defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 in La Liga to halt a five-game losing streak against Diego Simeone’s side. Jordi Alba leveled the game with a fantastic goal. That could be considered Barcelona’s season-winning goal.
Despite the setback last week, Barca defender Ferrer believes Xavi has the foundations to construct a team that can compete at the top of European football for the next decade, according to sources.
