Barcelona president Joan Laporta found himself at the center of controversy when rumors started circulating that he had influenced coach Xavi Hernández’s squad selection for the Champions League fixture against Antwerp. Initially, the club had announced that Ronald Araújo, Robert Lewandowski, and Ilkay Gündogan would not be traveling to Belgium as their place in the knockout rounds was already guaranteed. However, an updated squad list was released on Tuesday, including all three players. Reports suggested that Laporta had forced their inclusion, triggering speculation about his role in the decision-making process.
Sources close to the club denied Laporta’s involvement, stating that the decision to include Araujo, Lewandowski, and Gundogan was due to a change in itinerary. With the team now planning to spend two nights in Belgium before flying back, it was deemed more sensible to have all available players present for both the Antwerp match and the preparations for Saturday’s game against Valencia. Consequently, Xavi, Laporta, and sporting director Deco supposedly collectively agreed on the revised squad selection. The sources emphasized that Laporta and Xavi share an “excellent” relationship, and the constant speculation about their dynamic is tiresome.
Mounting Pressure on Xavi
Barcelona’s recent defeats to Real Madrid and Girona, combined with a draw against Rayo Vallecano, have amplified the pressure on coach Xavi. The team currently trails the top spot by seven points, jeopardizing their chances of securing the league title. Xavi had successfully led Barcelona to the league championship in the previous season, ending a dry spell that had lasted since 2019. However, the coach’s position has come under scrutiny, especially in light of disappointing domestic results.
Despite their underwhelming domestic campaign, Barcelona has enjoyed success in Europe this season. After failing to advance from the group stage in the past two years, the Catalans have redeemed themselves by securing a spot in the Champions League round of 16. In fact, they are on the cusp of winning their group, needing only a point against Antwerp or for Shakhtar Donetsk to stumble against Porto to guarantee first place.
Injury Woes
Barcelona’s squad selection has also been marred by a series of injuries. Frenkie de Jong will miss the Antwerp game due to fever, while Marc-André ter Stegen, Íñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso, and Gavi are all sidelined with various injuries. These absences further complicate Xavi’s task of orchestrating a successful campaign on multiple fronts.
While rumors initially suggested that President Laporta had inserted himself into the squad selection process, closer inspection reveals a different story. The decision to include Araujo, Lewandowski, and Gundogan was driven by a change in travel plans, aiming to maximize the team’s preparation time for both the Antwerp match and the upcoming Valencia fixture. The intense scrutiny surrounding Laporta and Xavi’s relationship is dismissed by sources who affirm its strength. As Barcelona navigates through a season of ups and downs, their focus must remain on delivering results and pursuing success in both domestic and European competitions.