![Force emerging as Barca should cope with out Lewandowski in derby Force emerging as Barca should cope with out Lewandowski in derby](https://www.kuwaittimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P15a-16.jpg)
BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski has taken L. a. Liga through typhoon however Barcelona trainer Xavi should cope with out him all the way through a hectic January length, beginning with a Catalan derby towards Espanyol on Saturday. The Polish striker is the department’s best scorer however is suspended for 3 league video games after being despatched off in Barcelona’s ultimate fit earlier than the Global Cup.
Regardless of being diminished to ten males, Barcelona got here from at the back of to overcome Osasuna and transfer two issues transparent of champions Actual Madrid, who’re 2nd after 14 video games every. Xavi has 3 choices to pick out from up entrance, with Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Memphis Depay vying for a get started, even supposing not one of the 3 are herbal centre forwards.
In the meantime winger Ousmane Dembele, Global Cup runner up with France, returned to coaching with Barcelona on Monday and may well be concerned towards Espanyol. After Barca’s disappointing Champions League crew degree removal, transferring best forward of the Global Cup used to be crucial morale spice up for the Catalans.
The trainer is beneath power to win trophies in his 2nd season on the helm after completing the former marketing campaign trophyless. Barcelona spent large in the summertime, signing Lewandowski, Brazil winger Raphinha, France defender Jules Kounde and different gamers, making debatable monetary sacrifices to take action.
Lewandowski’s arrival gave the impression to be paying fast dividends however after Barcelona had been overwhelmed two times through his former aspect Bayern Munich in Europe, power on them has risen. “I’m conscious that we wish to win titles this season,” Xavi instructed Barca TV ultimate week. “The power is principally on me. And I settle for it. I thrive on problem and one must be courageous.”
Barcelona’s first probability to raise silverware this season is available in mid-January with the Spanish Tremendous Cup. Alternatively they should face Espanyol and Atletico Madrid in L. a. Liga earlier than that, together with Intercity within the Copa del Rey. Crosstown opponents Espanyol are preventing for survival on the different finish of the desk, sixteenth and just one level transparent of the drop zone.
Trainer Pablo Machin is most probably to choose Martin Braithwaite in assault towards his former aspect, after a bitter parting of how ultimate summer time. The Danish ahead mentioned he idea Xavi didn’t imagine in him and has an opportunity to end up his level on Saturday. Xavi most well-liked to depend on Torres, Fati and Depay as back-ups for Lewandowski as an alternative of Braithwaite-so additional scrutiny will fall on his derby line-up variety.
Participant to observe: Borja Iglesias
Actual Betis striker Borja Iglesias will likely be out to make his mark when his workforce host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. The Spaniard is on 8 objectives, tied with Actual Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi as the second one best goalscorer in L. a. Liga, and he can try to reduce the gap on chief Lewandowski, who has 13. Moreover, it’s Iglesias’s first alternative to provoke new Spain trainer Luis de los angeles Fuente, after predecessor Luis Enrique didn’t take him to the Global Cup. – AFP