With Barcelona’s first half of a turbulent season in the books, Xavi has new strategies in mind for what’s to come, as he tries to turn the ship around.
Barcelona’s season this far has seemingly been a very wild never-ending roller-coaster. On the pitch, the results have been inconsistent, and off the pitch, scandals and stories have been coming in tenfolds.
According to news outlet SPORT, Xavi has a lot planned for the first training session after the Christmas break, and will be a bit harder on the players: a lot of changes will be made, and a physical edge needs to be introduced, as well as higher intensity. A ‘reward’ system should not be ruled out, in that players who perform will play; certain players have been given extra patience, and this is something Xavi could look to eliminate as they face a crucial end to the season, still in all major competitions.
While Xavi isn’t much for public scolding, the technical staff is said to believe that it might bring the best out of some players, and overall a harder attitude could lead to fruition on the pitch. Shades of this refreshed attitude was reportedly seen at half-time against Almería, where Xavi introduced certain changes which ultimately won Barcelona the game, albeit in scrappy fashion.
New signing Vitor Roque will be traveling to Barcelona within the next 24 hours to join up with his teammates, and is expected to land in Barcelona on Wednesday. Shortly after, training will commence ahead of the new season.
