The numbers in Europe say that Barcelona already has a guaranteed place in the round of 16 of the Champions League. They also rule that only a diabolical carom could leave them without the first place in group H. Even if they lose in Antwerp against the Cinderella of the group that has not yet added a point in this Champions League, Barcelona has the particular ‘goal average’ won with the Port. Only Shakhtar can challenge them for the lead but with a true miracle. They must win in Portugal but reducing the seven-goal difference that separates them from the team coached by Xavi.
But with this Barça there is always a but. In this case there are two: The recent and heavy 2-4 defeat against Girona and the economic need to deposit the corresponding 2.8 million in case of victory. Both ‘buts’ turn the Antwerp meeting into a total examination. “We are angry because we lost despite doing many things to win. We were better than Girona. It happened to us like we did against Real Madrid, we played better but we didn’t control both areas, we lacked forcefulness and effectiveness. Now, let’s react even though we already have the duties done in the Champions League,” ruled Xavi Hernández.
To lead this reaction, the coach finally chose to take his entire squad to Antwerp although the initial plan was for Araújo, Gündogan and Lewandowski to stay in Barcelona. “We have changed our mind. We return to Barcelona on Thursday and we make sure we don’t spend three days without them being with the group. This is how we work together and are together. All of us, the club, have decided. The president, Deco and I are not going for different ways. And talking to the players too. It is a good reaction for everyone to be involved. We will make videos, training sessions and we will see if they play,” Xavi explained, slipping that “it is a good time to give opportunities to the youngest or the who have played fewer minutes”. Only the injured Gavi, Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Iñigo Martínez and also Frenkie de Jong have remained in Barcelona due to a fever. Young people like Pau Cubarsí, a 16-year-old center back who was already on the bench in Girona, have entered the list.
In front of them, Barcelona will have an Antwerp team that they managed to beat 5-0 in Montjuïc on their return to the top European competition. Barça came out in that match with the intention of reminding itself of what a great club it was. And he got it. He got rid of his stage fright and tremors. But that happened at the end of September. Many things have happened since then. “We are under construction,” Xavi said after the defeat against Girona. In Belgium he explained this process better: “When I say in construction it is because we have to improve things, with new players, young players, we come from the Europa League, but with the maximum demand to win. I mean that we have to be constant, play better. And not because it needs time. A month and a half ago I already said that I think we are halfway to making a great Barça. If last year we didn’t win the League and the Super Cup, it might not be here. Always win you have to win,” he added.
Against Antwerp there will be rotations. But the goal will be defended by Iñaki Peña for the fifth consecutive game due to Ter Stegen’s absence due to injury. The goalkeeper, with a discreet character but clear words like his actions, revealed that his “idol since childhood” was Víctor Valdés for “how he overcame adversity.” He also explained that he pays attention to Ter Stegen.
“I have always said that I have been training with Ter Stegen for many years. You try to copy and learn from each one. Everything that can be learned in training and in Marc’s games is good news,” he explained.
The Alicante goalkeeper regretted his teammate’s injury, but said that it is a “great pride” to add minutes defending the goal of the Barcelona first team. “I am very happy to have responded to what my teammates and the coach asked of me. And having your name chanted in the stadium is appreciated and a super strong emotion for a youth player,” he added.
The 24-year-old youth player who came to Barcelona from Villarreal in the youth category in 2012, hopes that his performances mark a turning point and assured that he has prepared to face the ownership with guarantees “by training daily and thinking that any day you will the opportunity may come” to play with the first team. Regarding the gaps that the team is having this season in defense, he acknowledged that they have conceded “quite a few more goals” than last season, but he related it directly to “circumstances that occur in the games.”
