Barca Universal
·23 January 2024
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Yahoo sportsBarca Universal
·23 January 2024
It seems as if things are heating up at Barcelona, with a report from Bar Canaletes claiming that an argument between the players and Xavi took place in the dressing room following the Blaugrana’s 3-1 win over Unionistas in Copa del Rey Round of 16.
Days after their loss against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona travelled to Campo de Futbol Reina Sofia in Salamanca. Although they did walk out victorious, it came at the cost of conceding an early goal.
Considering the match result, it is fair to say that Barcelona did not have a great time away from home and given that Copa del Rey is the only possible title they will be fighting for this season, it was important for Xavi to use his best XI.
As it turns out, veteran forward Robert Lewandowski, after the game, voiced his discontent over the team selection, saying that the fielded XI should have been stronger.
Apparently, the Poland international was quite vocal as he made his thoughts known in a loud voice, saying, “With the Copa del Rey being the only title more likely to be won, you should have put out a stronger line-up!”
Xavi, after all, had opted to rest star players like Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, and Lewandowski himself, and started with the likes of Fermin Lopez, Oriol Romeu, and Marc Guiu, among others.
Xavi and Lewandowski argued over team selection against Unionistas. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Xavi’s response to the forward was, “This was analysed with the staff, the line-up was the right one.”
The matter just did not end there as one of Barça’s captains, who was neither Ronald Araujo nor Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, told Xavi, “It’s not the first time you’ve analysed something wrong…”
Interestingly enough, the board members were the bystanders of the entire fiasco and Deco decided to walk into the dressing room and even he did not agree with Xavi.
Despite the alleged incident in the dressing room, Barcelona managed to put it all behind and defeated Real Betis 4-2 in La Liga last weekend. The focus is now back on the Copa del Rey with a quarter-final clash against Athletic Club awaiting tomorrow.