Xavi has challenged Ansu Fati to show he generally is a chief for Barcelona whereas suspended striker Robert Lewandowski waits to return.
Fati solely performed the closing moments of Barcelona’s 3-1 Supercopa de Espana closing win over Real Madrid final Sunday because the membership landed their first trophy since Lionel Messi left in August 2021. It was Xavi’s first trophy as Barcelona coach.
The 20-year-old Fati was a substitute once more for the Copa del Rey win over Ceuta on Thursday, approaching to attain the third objective in a 5-0 rout.
His bit-part function is one thing Fati could have to just accept given Lewandowski is a seemingly assured starter when obtainable to move coach Xavi. This weekend sees Lewandowski serve the second a part of a three-game ban.
Gavi, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele have featured off the Polish striker, with Raphinha and Ferran Torres additionally getting possibilities.
Now it appears Fati could get to start out in opposition to Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday, with Xavi saying: “He plays a decisive role in the team. He makes a difference and has that great communion with the goal.
“He is decisive and is being necessary for the workforce, and extra so within the video games that Robert just isn’t there as a consequence of suspension he needs to be a reference.”
Barcelona are on a high after the Supercopa success, with Xavi saying: “This victory in opposition to Madrid means so much to us, it offers us confidence and morale and makes us imagine extra.
“Now is the time to maintain our level and compete and fight for the three remaining titles.”
They have La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League nonetheless to play for, having been knocked out of the Champions League on the group stage, with Xavi decided to wring all the pieces out of his gamers.
“You have to keep demanding and even increase the demands,” the coach mentioned. “Now it’s easy to relax, and you have to avoid that and make everyone feel important.
“You can play higher. The recreation in opposition to Madrid was glorious and sensible, however it’s a must to sustain the extent.”
Xavi said there are fitness concerns over Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong ahead of Getafe’s visit to Camp Nou.
“They’re obtainable, however they’re having issues once more,” Xavi said. “We cannot play with gamers who’re at 80%. Every recreation is a warfare, it is a closing.”
Barcelona headed into the weekend with a three-point lead over Madrid at the top of the table, also knowing they had not lost at home in their 17 previous games against Getafe.
The Catalan giants no longer have Memphis Depay in their ranks after he made a move to Atletico Madrid this week, with the Dutch forward having told Xavi he was “not snug” and needed to play more often.
Xavi is unsure whether he will be able to make signings before the January transfer window closes given financial fair play limitations, but he said it “would not be an issue” if there isn’t a additional motion on that entrance.
