2 years ago
Barcelona manager Xavi is unlikely to make many changes to the team that began Saturday's El Clasico against Real Madrid in Las Vegas for their next preseason game against Juventus.
Robert Lewandowski started against Real Madrid, leading the line on his debut, and the Poland international should be in the starting lineup again against Juventus.
Raphinha scored against Real Madrid to continue his impressive start to his Camp Nou career, and the summer signing from Leeds United is also expected to play.
Ansu Fati started on the left against Carlo Ancelotti's side, and the fact that he only played the first 45 minutes suggests that the Spaniard, who struggled with fitness last season, will start here again.
The team that took the field for the first whistle against the Spanish and European champions is likely to change, with Franck Kessie and Sergino Dest possibly coming in.
Gerard Pique played the final 30 minutes against Real Madrid after missing the previous match against Inter Miami due to injury, but Ferran Torres is battling a fitness issue that has kept him from playing during the preseason tour.
Frenkie de Jong came off the bench again against Real Madrid, but he is unlikely to be considered for a starting spot here, with Kessie possibly playing alongside Pedri and Sergio Busquets.
Barcelona's potential starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Dest, Christensen, Araujo, Alba; Kessie, Busquets, Pedri; Fati, Lewandowski, Raphinha; Fati, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Xavi Hernandez has already left for Miami. It has been a long and winding road to get there. Since his ESTA (tourist visa) was rejected on Friday for his three visits to Iran - a country designated as a terrorist state by the US - while playing for Al Sadd, all of his attention has been on obtaining a new visa. Not being able to obtain an ESTA because it takes ten days after a refusal, he applied for a work visa directly, going to the Madrid embassy to deliver the passport. On the same day, he traveled to Madrid first thing in the morning to meet him with the visa in hand, allowing him to join the American tour.
It is expected to land eight and a half hours later, on the cusp of 8:00 p.m. local time, bringing an end to this five-day suspense film.
Thus, Xavi arrives on time not only to meet his new attack star and project cornerstone, Robert Lewandowski, but also to travel with the team to Las Vegas, as the Blaugrana expedition will depart for Nevada on Thursday, with the Classic already at the gates.
During this time, his brother scar has been in charge of directing the team, working closely with his assistant, Sergio Alegre. And the truth is that seeing the outcomes has not gone well.
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