Will Barcelona topple Real Madrid and seal the 2022/23 La Liga title?
Barcelona VS Real Madrid
Barcelona is a big rival to Real Madrid in La Liga, thanks to a slew of talented young players.
Since Real Madrid won their 35th La Liga title in May, a lot has changed. Los Blancos have also won the 14th Champions League and the European Super Cup.
Real Madrid set lofty goals for the 2022-2023 season, aiming to eat 6. Meanwhile, Barcelona will strive to unseat Real Madrid with talented rookies.
Except for Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Liga clubs have not engaged in any big buying and selling this summer. Atlético Madrid said goodbye to Luis Suarez, Sevilla lost several key players, and Athletic Bilbao did not make a significant acquisition. As a result, the championship race is nearly entirely between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Camp Nou club has had a disappointing 2021-2022 season. Barcelona was in turmoil both on and off the field after Lionel Messi left. The Blaugrana finished second in La Liga, 14 points behind Real Madrid.
After the summer transfer window, Barcelona has a relatively good squad. Pedri is the Catalan giants’ brightest star. With high hopes, the brilliant Spaniard will begin his third season with Barcelona. Injuries slowed Pedri down significantly two seasons ago.
Pedri’s potential is undeniable, with a mindset and demeanor that belies his age. The Spaniard wields enormous power at Camp Nou. Pedri substantially improved his finishing skills towards the close of last season and in this year’s pre-season friendly series. This midfielder is Barcelona’s future.
Xavi took over as Barcelona’s head coach in November of last year and has left his mark. Despite his lack of coaching expertise, Xavi is highly regarded by fans, players, and the Barcelona board of directors. The 42-year-old strategist demonstrates a strong capacity to communicate and inspire his students.
Barca coach Xavi has made discipline a priority for the 2022/23 season. To minimize unneeded controversy, the team also requested that the players limit their use of social media.
According to Cadena Ser, Barcelona players will be prohibited from using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media accounts while participating in team activities during the upcoming season. This is one of the three principles followed by new manager Xavi Hernandez.
Players are also not permitted to publish any images of the club on social media, nor are they permitted to make derogatory messages about the team, personnel, or players. In case they decline to participate in team promotional events, they will have 10% of their compensation removed.
According to AS, the ten rules that the Catalan team’s players and staff had to obey last season included:
– Players must arrive 90 minutes before the start of the training session.
– Staff must come two hours before the training session begins.
– Players must eat at the club’s training grounds.
– If the same infraction is committed again, the fine will be doubled.
– Players must return home by midnight two days before the match.
– Players must give their all during practice.
– The club will monitor the players’ off-field activities.
– No risky activities are allowed.
– Always maintain a positive image in the eyes of your fans.
Will Barcelona topple Real Madrid ?
After a disappointing season, the Camp Nou club hopes to reclaim its place. However, La Liga expert Ruben Jimenez Lozano believes that it will be difficult for coach Xavi Hernandez and his students to achieve this.
Barcelona has a fantastic attack with six or seven stars who can start at any major team in Europe. Lewandowski, Aubameyang, Torres, and Fati are all capable of making an impact. Note that Real Madrid still has exceptional players at the top level, such as Karim Benzema and Vinicius. Madrid’s 2-0 win over Frankfurt in the most recent European Super Cup confirms this.
Real Madrid will undoubtedly be more frightening with Mbappe in the lineup. Even if Mbappe does not play, “Los Blancos” remains a powerful team with formidable individuals. Real Madrid is a team with a strong battling spirit and a desire to win every trophy possible.
The legendary midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro play less frequently than in the past to make room for emerging prospects such as Eduardo Ca Mavinga, Tchuimeni, and Federico Valverde.
It also takes time for Xavi to assemble rookies in football. It is difficult for a boss to build an unbeatable squad with such a high number of new players in such a short period. Real Madrid is the team the rest of the league must defeat.
“Los Blancos” are the reigning Spanish and European champions. They recently won the European Super Cup and have quality additions to their squad such as Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni. Real Madrid is the team that everyone wants to follow.
Xavi must ensure that the new signings integrate fast and perform effectively. Barcelona understands that they must win titles this season or else the club’s financial status may deteriorate in the future. It will be challenging for them to manage if they continue to fail in this season.
Sergi Roberto, on the other hand, will leave Barcelona as a free agent when his contract expires in the summer of 2023. The 30-year-old is off to a strong start to the season. Before suffering a slight injury, he had 1 goal and 1 assist in 5 outings across all competitions. But he decided not to stay when the season ended.
Sergi Roberto is a footballer from the renowned La Masia, who has been promoted to Barcelona’s first team since 2010. The 1992-born player can play as a holding midfielder, full-back, or winger. This is thought to be the reason why coach Xavi asked Barcelona’s leadership to maintain his old teammate, despite Sergi Roberto’s inability to progress professionally for many years.
Journalist Romero also stated that Barcelona may part ways with two right-backs, as Hector Bellerin, like Sergi Roberto, will be out of contract after the season. However, based on his performances, Bellerin is expected to be signed by Barcelona. Furthermore, the former Arsenal player is exploring a move to Real Betis.
Barcelona has prepared big money to sign a new right-back next summer. Vanderson has been listed as Barcelona’s primary target, although AS Monaco values the Brazilian defender at up to €60 million.