The defeat against Girona has been a very hard blow for Barcelona in its two most sensitive areas, the coach’s bench and the presidential chair located two tiers above. Having achieved the supposedly most difficult and committed victories against Porto in the Champions League and against a threatening Atlético in the league, the internal feeling led to think about the definitive take-off of a team with a tendency to fly low. The midfield had gained prominence, the remorse of discouragement seemed to be overcome, Iñaki Peña neutralized Ter Stegen’s absence and it was even celebrated that Xavi had finally found a starting eleven to work on. But Girona arrived and, despite the commendable will to compete, the Blaugrana response was not enough.
“Reality sometimes makes you open your eyes”, a source close to the president described to this newspaper yesterday. For those who require translation, reflection is equivalent to trying to find a remedy by looking for an opportunity in the winter market. With what money will be seen, this is how Joan Laporta works in this mandate. In the absence of entering the millions announced by the German Libero fund in the purchase of a percentage of the rights of Barça Studios, the club has no financial margin to sign. Gavi’s injury allowed an unwanted stroke of luck to bring in Vitor Roque, but there is no room for further operations if a new twist of script does not remedy it. Back in the day they were the endorsements of the president and his treasurer. Again, nothing is ruled out.
According to the club leadership, the first team requires a holding midfielder, the umpteenth search for the key Davids, that scrappy midfielder who changed Rijkaard’s life. De Jong, Gündogan and Pedri like each other with the ball but without it they are not Busquets or of course Gavi. Oriol Romeu arrived with all the excitement at the club of his life at a mature age. It started off well, but the weight of the shirt has wreaked havoc. Ask Eric Garcia: playing in Girona, without pressure, leads you to enjoy football, just like Romeu did a few months ago wearing red and white.
Laporta gave the order a few weeks ago to his own board not to criticize Xavi in ??secret. Slander erodes because it always ends up reaching the ears of the victim in a club where the walls listen. At the moment Xavi remains shielded by those who really decide: Laporta, his friend and vice-president Rafa Yuste and Deco. Alejandro Echevarría also has a lot to say despite not being a manager.
Xavi and his staff ended up touched after losing against Girona. The coach gave a short talk yesterday before the morning training session. Tomorrow’s game against Antwerp is of relative importance: first place in the group is virtually assured and at stake is the money the club collects for victory and overturning the aftertaste of the last defeat. Xavi was convinced that the three of three (Porto, Atlético and Girona) would push his team in the end. He would embed him in the front group in the league to the point of being able to provisionally become the winning leader in Mestalla. The prognosis has not been fulfilled. Barça has overcome the worst moment (the Blaugrana hit rock bottom with the defeat against Xakhtar, without nearly a shot on goal), but even raising their level has not given them the ability to rule Girona.
Xavi has a job. On their board, the pressure starts at the top but only Raphinha practices it, a calamity with the feet. Those who should accompany him, Lewandowski and João Félix, believe themselves exempt from such sacrifices, and the rivals arrive clean of effort in defense because neither Pedri nor De Jong nor Gündogan were born to destroy. The plan only works if it is applied with faith and choral discipline. Girona stripped Barça and Xavi suffered again but resisted. His detractors are growing but he is able to achieve it. Laporta holds him. After the game, affectionately, he let him know about it again.
