Real Madrid are likely to name an unchanged lineups for the visit of FC Barcelona. However, there are certain questions which may arise during the game, including Xavi’s lack of possession and Gerard Pique’s match fitness. In addition, Vinicius Jr.’s importance to Real Madrid is another area which may be a source of concern.
Xavi’s lack of possession could be his downfall
Real Madrid’s lack of possession has cost them points in the past and they’re desperate to make amends against Barcelona. They’ve only conceded one La Liga goal since the turn of the year. However, they are missing Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Hector Bellerin. As such, they’re missing a crucial piece of their attacking puzzle. In such a scenario, Xavi’s lack of possession could be his downfall.
Barcelona have a tough run of fixtures coming up in the coming month, but their quality remains undeniable. Their form has been far better than the rest of LaLiga this season. Even if Robert Lewandowski failed to score against Athletic Bilbao, he has 14 goals so far. The team also have young talents like Ansu Fati and Raphinha on the bench.
Gerard Pique’s lack of match fitness
Real Madrid have a number of injury concerns, with Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti out. Barcelona have a number of players who aren’t match fit, too, including Gerard Pique. However, the team is confident that the Belgian international will be fit enough to start. In terms of defenders, Barcelona are relatively weak, with only four fully fit defenders.
Gerard Pique has been absent from training this week, and his availability for Sunday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid is now in doubt. The defender injured his ankle in a 1-1 draw against Napoli and was replaced by Clement Lenglet in extra time. Sergio Busquets said that he was hoping that Pique’s injury was nothing serious.
Robert Lewandowski’s ballon d’or chances
Robert Lewandowski has already surpassed Benzema’s previous La Liga goal total, and he is one of the frontrunners to win the Ballon d’Or this season. Lewandowski has already scored 11 La Liga goals this season, which puts him in pole position to claim the award.
Earlier in the game, Lewandowski missed a wonderful chance to double his tally. Real Madrid was ahead 1-0, and Lewandowski was fresh off a brace against Inter Milan. His attempt was accurate, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar and went wide. Nonetheless, despite missing a clear chance, Lewandowski will be disappointed that he failed to score more than one goal in a single game.
Real Madrid won the game 3-1, taking over the top spot in La Liga. Lewandowski had previously scored 50 goals for Bayern Munich last season, but his miss came in the first half after he had linked up with Ousmane Dembele. Lewandowski’s first shot was deflected by David Alaba and went wide.
Vinicius Jr.’s importance to Real Madrid
The Brazilian striker was named UEFA Young Player of the Season for the 2021/22 season. The 19-year-old scored four goals in the Champions League, including the match-winning goal in the final against Liverpool, and he also registered seven assists in 13 appearances. The youngster has also started to make an impact for the Brazil national team.
He has been valued at over $100 million and has proven that he is willing to improve. Real Madrid need him to perform at his peak this season, especially in the absence of Kylian Mbappe. Karim Benzema is a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or this season, and Vinicius’s development is vital to the club’s survival.
Robert Lewandowski
If you are planning a lineup for this match, you might want to consider Robert Lewandowski. The Poland international has scored two goals in his last two La Liga appearances. He will be a major factor for Bayern if they are to make a comeback.
While there are some key players missing for Barcelona, there are some players who will still be able to contribute to the team’s attack. Some of these players include Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Memphis Depay. However, Lewandowski is expected to lead the attack for Barca. He is the top scorer in the league and has six goals in his last eight meetings with Real Madrid.
Lewandowski’s arrival at Barcelona is an exciting one for both teams. He joins from Bayern Munich after signing a three-year deal. After joining the team, Robert Lewandowski has been training with his teammates in the United States. The former Bayern Munich star is expected to be involved in the team’s attacking attack against Real Madrid.