The big news today, surrounding all things FC Barcelona, is Xavi responding to reports that he’s lost the dressing room. Rumors are swirling about that the 43-year-old manager is destined to leave the Catalan club at the end of the season. Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s Copa Del Rey at Unionistas Salamanca, the Catalan said:
“I love this club. I’m here to bring something to it. If I don’t do it, I’ll go home. If I hadn’t won La Liga last year I wouldn’t be here. The day my players no longer follow me, I’ll pack my bags and leave.
Copa Del Rey Round of 16 FYIs
FC Barcelona at Unionistas Salamanca
Kickoff: Thurs. Jan. 18, 8:30pm, El Estadio Municipal Reina Sofía, Salamanca, Spain
Barca Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
European football book authored by The Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks: go here
Barca Team News
Xavi added: “When someone tells me there’s a problem, I’ll leave.
“When the owners signed me from Qatar, they said it was one of the worst moments in the club’s history and we’re in the process of changing things. I’m calm. I have three titles to win. We’re closer to success than failure.”
In other words, Xavi is admittedly feeling the pressure, and he knows that if he doesn’t turn it around soon, he’ll be facing the sack. Time is running out for Barca to get it right.
On to player, and not coaching related, team news.
Ronald Araujo will serve a one-game ban here after getting sent off in the blowout Super Cup final loss to Real Madrid. Meanwhile Lamine Yamal completes a two-game cup suspension in this clash. Also, you have the long list of longer-term injury absentees: Gavi (ACL), Marcos Alonso (back), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Raphinha (hamstring) and Inigo Martinez (hamstring).
And while Joao Cancelo (knee) is more of a short term injury absentee, he is highly unlikely to play here either.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.