The defeat against Girona has been a very hard blow for Barcelona in its two most sensitive areas, the coaching bench and the presidential seat located two steps above. Having achieved the supposedly most difficult and committed victories against Porto in the Champions League and against a threatening Atlético in the League, the internal feeling led to thinking about the definitive takeoff of a team with a tendency to fly low. The midfield had gained prominence, the burden of discouragement seemed to be overcome, Iñaki Peña neutralized the loss of Ter Stegen and it was even celebrated that Xavi, at last, had found a starting eleven to work on. But Girona arrived and, despite the commendable will to compete, the Blaugrana response was not enough.
“Reality sometimes makes you open your eyes,” a source close to the president described to this newspaper yesterday. For those who require translation, reflection is equivalent to trying to find a remedy by looking for an opportunity in the winter market. With what money you will see, this is how Joan Laporta works in this mandate. In the absence of paying the millions announced by the German fund Libero in the purchase of a percentage of the rights to Barça Studios, the club has no economic margin to sign. Gavi's injury allowed an unwanted stroke of luck to bring in Vítor Roque, but there are no more operations if a new twist in the script does not remedy it. On his day there were endorsements from the president and his treasurer. Again, nothing is ruled out.
According to the club's leadership, the first team requires a holding midfielder, the umpteenth search for the key Davids, that spoiled midfielder who changed Rijkaard's life. De Jong, Gündogan and Pedri like each other with the ball, but without it they are not Busquets nor of course Gavi. Oriol Romeu arrived at the club with all the enthusiasm of his life at a mature age. He started off very well, but the weight of the shirt has taken its toll. Ask Eric Garcia: playing in Girona, without pressure, makes you enjoy football, the same thing Romeu did a few months ago dressed in red and white.
Laporta gave the order a few weeks ago to his own board not to secretly criticize Xavi. Slander erodes because it always ends up reaching the ears of the victim in a club where the walls hear. For now, Xavi is still protected by those who really decide: Laporta, his friend and vice president Rafa Yuste and Deco. Alejandro Echevarría also has a lot to say despite not being a manager.
Xavi and his staff ended up hurt after losing to Girona. The coach gave a brief talk yesterday before morning training and rested Lewandowski, Araújo, De Jong and Gündogan ahead of tomorrow's game in Antwerp. The match is of relative importance: first place in the group is virtually assured and the money the club charges for victory and reversing the aftertaste of the last defeat is at stake. Xavi was convinced that the three out of three (Porto, Atlético and Girona) would finally boost his team. He would insert them into the leading group in the League to the point of being able to provisionally become the leader by winning at Mestalla. The forecast has not been fulfilled. Barça has overcome its worst moment (the Blaugrana hit rock bottom with the defeat against Shakhtar, with barely any shots on goal), but even raising its level it has not been able to govern Girona.
Xavi has a job. On her board the pressure starts from the top, but only Raphinha practices it, a calamity with her feet. Those who should accompany him, Lewandowski and João Félix, believe themselves exempt from such sacrifices, and the rivals arrive with no effort at all in defense because neither Pedri, nor De Jong nor Gündogan were born to destroy. The plan only works if it is applied with faith and choral discipline. Girona stripped Barça, and Xavi suffers again but resists. He has more and more detractors, but he sees himself capable of achieving it. Laporta supports him. After the game, affectionately, he let her know again.
