He Barça debated then Naplesin the second leg of the round of 16 champions league, his eighth game in European competition. A crash helped them qualify for the quarterfinals. And that eleven Xavi Hernandez presented before the Royal Antwerp, in the first match of the group stage, it had little to do with what they played against the Neapolitan club. Due to injuries, penalties, tactical decisions…
The transformation is impressive, with players occupying positions that are not theirs, a change of midfielder to correct some deficiencies or the combination of four midfielders. This is the evolution of eleven of Xavi in Europe.
1
Barça-Antwerp, 5-0
Natural posts
It was the sixth game of the season, the first in the Champions League, and Xavi put a team on the field with players in their natural positions. Cancelo played at right back and Koundé at center back. He just put De Jong as a midfielder
Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gündogan, De Jong, Gavi, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Joao Félix
2
Porto-Barça, 0-1
A couple of tweaks
On the second day of the Champions League, already in Barça’s 10th game of the season, the coach did not change his initial idea, although on that occasion he brought Oriol Romeu as a midfielder and made Lamine Yamal debut in the eleven. De Jong and Pedri were injured.
Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gündogan, Oriol, Gavi; Lamine, Lewandowski, Joao Félix
3
Barça-Shakhtar, 2-1
Along with Marcos Alonso, without Lewandowski
Xavi made various changes to the starting lineup, especially in defense. He lined up Íñigo Martínez with Araujo in the center of defense and placed Marcos Alonso at left back. Ferran played in place of Lewandowski. This is the 13th game of the season. De Jong, Koundé, Raphinha and Sergi Roberto are injured. Gavi, allowed.
Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Araujo, Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso; Fermin, Oriol, Gundogan; Lamine, Ferran, Joao Félix
4
Shakhtar-Barca, 1-0
Oriol continued
In Germany and against Shakhtar, Barça suffered its first defeat in Europe. This is an eleven without many new features in the starting team. The most notable thing is the continuation of Marcos Alonso at left back and the attack formed by Raphinha, Lewandowski and Ferran. De Jong and Sergi Roberto, injured.
Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Christensen, Araujo, Marcos Alonso; Gündogan, Oriol, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran
5
Barça-Porto, 2-1
Injuries and changes in position
In the Montjuïc match against Porto, Xavi was forced to drop the starting team due to the absence of key players due to injury. Iñaki Peña took Ter Stegen’s place in goal. Araujo moved to right back, Cancelo moved to the left and Gündogan played as a midfielder. Gavi and Ter Stegen, injured.
Iñaki, Araujo, Koundé, Iñigo, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Joao Felix
6
Antwerp-Barca, 3-2
last revolution
In the last match against Antwerp at home, Xavi mobilized the whole squad, also relying on young players. He made Héctor Fort play at right back, he expected Balde at left back, with Oriol Romeu with Sergi Roberto. Gavi, Iñigo, Marcos Alonso and Ter Stegen, injured.
Iñaki, Héctor Fort, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Fermín, Oriol, Sergi Roberto; Lamine, Lewandowski, Ferran
7
Naples-Barça, 1-1
In the first leg of this round of 16 and plagued by casualties, Barça played a lineup with more experienced players. Koundé at right back, Christensen left the center of defense to play as a pivot, with De Jong as an interior player. Ter Stegen is back.
Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Iñigo, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, De Jong; Lamine, Lewandowski, Pedri
8
Barça-Naples, 3-1
Versatility and youth
Barça qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League thanks to versatile players, youth and needs.
Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Gündogan, Christensen, Fermín; Lamine, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
