Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League group stage fixture against Antwerp in Belgium will see them without eight key first-team players. The decision to rest Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gündogan, and Ronald Araújo comes after the team’s shocking 4-2 defeat against surprise LaLiga leaders Girona. With qualification to the round of 16 already secured, coach Xavi Hernández has prioritized the upcoming league game at Valencia and opted to rest these players for the midweek clash.
In addition to the rested players, Barcelona will also be missing Marc-André ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Iñigo Martínez, and Gavi due to injuries. This extensive list of absences poses a challenge for the team, forcing Xavi to call up eight academy players to fill the gaps in the squad. Defenders Hector Fort and Pau Cubarsí, midfielders Marc Casadó and Aleix Garrido, and forwards Ángel Alarcón and Marc Guiu have all been included in the squad. It is worth mentioning that Marc Guiu made an impressive debut for the first team in October, scoring a goal.
Barcelona’s victory over Porto in their previous Champions League match secured their place in the round of 16 for the first time since 2021. While they have not yet sealed top spot in their group, it would require a defeat against Antwerp, a Shakhtar Donetsk win over Porto, and a significant goal difference swing for them to not progress as group winners. The absence of key players adds further uncertainty to their ability to maintain their lead and secure a favorable position in the knockout stages.
In domestic competition, Barcelona suffered a setback as they fell seven points behind Girona, the current LaLiga leaders, after their recent defeat. However, coach Xavi Hernández insisted that the team’s performance was not as bad as the result indicated. He described the result as “disastrous” but maintained that the overall performance was not. In his post-match news conference, Xavi highlighted that Barcelona is a team in transition and emphasized the need for patience during the building process. Despite the setback, he expressed confidence in the team’s abilities and assured fans that their performance would improve in the future.
A Chance for Young Talents
The absence of key players presents an opportunity for the academy talents called up by Xavi. Players like Hector Fort, Pau Cubarsí, and Ángel Alarcón will now have the chance to showcase their abilities on the European stage. This experience can be invaluable for their development and potentially herald a new generation of talent for Barcelona.
Barcelona’s current injury crisis serves as a reminder of the significance of squad depth for any successful team. While the absence of key players presents challenges, it also highlights the need for clubs to invest in nurturing young talents and creating a strong pipeline of future stars. Barcelona’s reliance on academy players demonstrates the importance of fostering talent from within and ensuring a continuous supply of quality players to compensate for injuries and suspensions.
Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League clash against Antwerp will test their squad depth and resilience due to an injury crisis and the decision to rest key players. The club’s success in navigating through this difficult period will depend on the performance of the young talents called up by coach Xavi Hernández. Fans will eagerly watch to see if the team can overcome the absence of their regular starters and continue their journey in the Champions League.