Barcelona coach Xavi is convinced he can lead the club back to glory despite the pressure being put on him by the board and the fans.
In order to do that, the tactician has shown he isn’t afraid to do things his way.
Sunday’s game against Real Sociedad was proof of that, as it’s clear there are no longer any untouchable players in the squad. Not even the captains, with Gerard Pique proof of that.
The Catalan centre-back didn’t start in San Sebastian, along with Jordi Alba, Sergio Roberto and Sergio Busquets.
The latter was suspended for the match, while the other two eventually came off the bench.
Pique didn’t. It’s a clear sign from Xavi, who reiterated after the match that he will field what he feels is the best possible line-up based on what he sees in training.
“I don’t look at names, ages or anything,” he said. “I look at the performance and if the team benefits from it. I look at the group.
“Jordi has done well, Sergio Roberto too. Pique will come on. They have to help the group with whatever minutes they get.”
Of the four captains, Pique is the only one who has yet to make an appearance this season.
The defender ended last season with a thigh injury, and that pushed him to work during the holidays in order to be at Xavi‘s disposal as soon as possible.
He’s been medically cleared since before the tour of the United States in July and has been called up to both league matches so far, but he failed to take the field against Rayo Vallecano or Real Sociedad.
Instead, Xavi opted to start with Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia.
Ronald Araujo has played at full-back, while Jules Kounde isn’t registered yet.
In any case, it’s unusual to see Pique on the bench when he’s available to play given he even started last season while injured.
Over the last 14 seasons he’s been a certainty in the Blaugrana starting XI.
However, Xavi has more confidence in other players, and he’s shown that he won’t change his decisions regardless of what it means for the dressing room.
There are no untouchables, but Pique‘s abilities haven’t been written off either.
Although he hasn’t featured in two games, he will play at some point, especially if one of the defenders have a dip in form.
Contract
Pique, who’s contract with Barcelona runs until June 2024, is one of the players the club has asked to take a deferral in order to help with the signings of Kounde and Marcos Alonso.
There’s been no agreement so far, especially since LaLiga don’t allow certain players to take more than pay cut, as is the case with Pique.
The fact there are still some issues to hammer out with Pique, and the other club captains, has created some unease within the club, who are also keeping a close eye on his behaviour off the pitch.
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