In five days, FC Barcelona play one of their most crucial matches of the season when they take on PSG in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals away at Parc des Princes.
The Blaugrana go into the game with momentum behind them, having not lost a game since late January across all competitions.
Furthermore, the team’s performances have picked up in recent weeks despite being without key players like Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who have been out with injuries.
Building up to the PSG game, though, Barcelona have been handed a major boost as De Jong is almost fully fit and ready for the trip to the French capital.
De Jong’s return presents selection dilemma for Xavi
The impending return of Frenkie de Jong from injury is a huge boost for Xavi and Barcelona. At the same time, though, it poses a selection dilemma for the manager ahead of the big game next week, reports SPORT.
De Jong is set to return from injury. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
In recent matches, the midfield trio of Fermin Lopez, Sergi Roberto, and Ilkay Gundogan has been performing at a good level, like a well-oiled machine.
However, against PSG, Xavi will have to decide whether he goes with what is working well for him or recall his regulars. After all both De Jong and Andreas Christensen will be back to fitness and ready to play.
Gundogan is certain to start in one of the three midfield positions while Christensen is more or less guaranteed to play as the defensive pivot, a role in which he has impressed.
That leaves one position for De Jong, Fermin, and Roberto to compete for, unless the manager opts to change tactics and play with four midfielders, in which case he could accommodate two of those three.
De Jong has not played for over a month while Fermin and Roberto have been impressive in recent games on the big stages. It leaves Xavi with a major selection headache come next week.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/xavi-faces-a-major-selection-dilemma-ahead-of-barcelonas-clash-vs-psg/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-04-05 09:41:38
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