- Tuesday's match against Napoli could be crucial for Barcelona's future. Meanwhile, the team is plagued by injuries
- Xavi has been targeted, as he may leave the club sooner if they fail in the Champions League
- Despite a successful start to 2024, Robert Lewandowski's future at the Spanish champions remains in doubt
- – There are many voices supporting his departure from the team next season. First of all, given his salary and the fact that he doesn't make much of a difference on the pitch – RAC1 Radio's Laia Cole tells us
- More information can be found at Przegląd Sportowy Onet
Ahead of the second leg of the 1/8 Champions League final against SSC Napoli, Barcelona faces more problems. The Spanish champions are not shining in league matches, and in addition, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were injured against Athletic Bilbao. Furthermore, the Blaugrana have made several costly mistakes at Montjuïc this season.
– There are many doubts surrounding the team and its chances of beating Napoli. The team plays very unevenly, not very well, and recorded its worst results of the season at Montjuïc. The loss of Pedri and De Jong in midfield is crucial, they are key players, and Xavi has almost no midfielders. Ferran Torres did not recover in time. Hopes are pinned on the young man, Lamine Yamal. The start of the match will be decisive, if Barcelona does not start well, there will be tension – Laia Cole from Catalan radio RAC1 tells us.
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Barcelona is playing on big bets against Napoli. “He has to sell important players.”
The specter of true disaster became more dangerous for the Spanish heroes. After 28 rounds, Xavi's team is eight points behind Real Madrid in the Spanish League table, and the club has long suffered from financial problems. Failure to rank among the top eight teams on the Old Continent could affect Catalonia's pride and plunge the club into financial straits. So the risks are huge.
– The most important thing is reaching the quarter-finals. Otherwise, Barcelona will lose 15 million euros. Laia Cole points out that this will be another serious problem for the club's finances.
The future of Xavi himself also remains uncertain, as he announced a few weeks ago that he would bid farewell to the club after the season. There are rumors out of Spain that if the two-legged clash with Napoli ends in failure, the 44-year-old may not remain on the Blaugrana bench until the end of the season.
– For some time, there have been many voices criticizing Xavi for the team’s performance, and the draw in Naples has been in red for weeks and it served as confirmation for him. Failure to win may result in dismissal. Anyway, we'll have to see what happens. There is a lot of instability at the club and nothing is certain. Any team in the league has no chance of defending its title. Changing the bench and replacing him with Rafa Marquez will also make no sense when the team is eliminated from the Champions League and their only goal is to finish in the top four in La Liga. Laia Cole adds that this has already been achieved.
Disturbing voices from Barcelona regarding Lewandowski. “The fans are not happy”
There are still many speculations about Robert Lewandowski. Before the first match in Napoli, Radio Catalunya's Bernat Soler admitted in an interview with Przegląd Sportowy Onet that the Pole's earnings are a huge burden on the club's coffers, which will reach €32 million next season.
The Polish captain silenced many critics with his good play at the start of 2024, but his survival in the Catalan capital remains uncertain.
– Since the beginning of 2024, Lewandowski has been performing better and better and the criticism has weakened, but in general the fans are not satisfied with his performance and there is no shortage of voices that support his departure from the team next season. Mainly considering his salary and the fact that he doesn't make much of a difference on the field. Barcelona's financial situation is in a very bad state and the activists have to sell 2-3 important players soon. In the match against Napoli, he will definitely be accompanied by Lamine Yamal, and Joao Felix can play on the left wing – this is what Laia Cole confirms in an interview with Przegląd Sportowy Onet.
Tuesday's match in Barcelona is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. The first leg in Naples ended in a 1-1 draw.
source:Onet Sports Review
Date of creation: 12 Mark 2024 05:30
Journalist for the newspaper Przeglad Sportuy One
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