A poor run following the World Cup break has Barcelona coach Xavi concerned ahead of this weekend’s Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona travels to Atlético Madrid on Sunday after two disappointing performances, including a home draw with rival Espanyol that cost the team sole possession of the league lead.
It also struggled against third-division club Intercity in the Copa del Rey round of 32 on Wednesday, losing the lead three times before eventually advancing in extra time.
“We can’t be content,” Xavi said. “We have been ineffective in both attack and defense. That concerns me. Especially during an attack. It is possible in defense, but not in attack.”
To compound Xavi’s worries, he will be without suspended star striker Robert Lewandowski against Atlético.
Lewandowski, the league’s top scorer, played against Espanyol after Barcelona appealed his three-game suspension from before the World Cup, but a court upheld the suspension on Wednesday, and the Poland striker will miss the next three league games.
“I haven’t decided who will be the ‘No. 9’ on Sunday,” Xavi said.
Ferran Torres or Memphis Depay, who both started in Wednesday’s 4-3 win over Intercity, are the most likely replacements for Lewandowski. Torres has appeared frequently off the bench and occasionally as a starter this season, whereas Depay has made only a few appearances.
“We have to stop losing points in the league,” said Marcos Llorente, who scored one of the goals against Oviedo. “We need a victory to start moving up. That Lewandowski won’t play is bad luck for them. He is a great player.” Atlético is unbeaten at home against Barcelona since 2019. The Catalan club won 4-2 at home the last time they met in the league last year.
“We must stop losing league points,” said Marcos Llorente, who scored one of the goals against Oviedo. “We need a win to start moving up. It is unfortunate for them that Lewandowski will not play. He’s a fantastic player.”
Since 2019, Atlético has gone unbeaten at home against Barcelona. The Catalan club won the previous league meeting 4-2 at home last year.
OTHER MATCHES
Madrid, which trails Barcelona on goal difference, travels to Villarreal on Saturday, a team that has won three games in a row since the World Cup and currently sits in seventh place.
When Sociedad visits Almera on Sunday, it will look to extend its winning streak to six games in all competitions.
Athletic Bilbao travels to Osasuna on Monday, while Real Betis travels to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, which is coming off a Copa del Rey defeat to second-tier Sporting Gijón.
Sevilla, which had a poor start to the season, will try to climb out of the relegation zone when it hosts Getafe on Sunday.
On Friday, Elche, the only team yet to win after 15 rounds, hosts relegation-threatened Celta Vigo.
(Associated Press)
