A year ago
Barcelona is gearing up to face Real Sociedad in one of their last two home matches of the season. The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, will be in attendance at Camp Nou for the match. However, some Barcelona players need to exercise caution as they run the risk of suspension due to accumulating yellow cards.
With only four matches remaining in the season, there are five Barcelona players who are on the verge of missing the upcoming game against Real Valladolid next midweek. These players include Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele, Franck Kessie, Jordi Alba, and Alejandro Balde. All five have accumulated four yellow cards this season, meaning that another booking against Real Sociedad could result in a suspension for the next game.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez is already aware that he will be without the services of Gavi for the current match as the young player has accumulated ten yellow cards this season. He will be aiming to avoid a similar situation with any of the five players mentioned in the upcoming game against Valladolid.
Torres and Dembele have been walking the suspension tightrope for a while now, but even with a booking against Real Sociedad, they could miss the next game. It is worth noting that Kessie and Ferran are expected to receive opportunities during the final stretch of the campaign, despite being linked with a move away from Camp Nou in the summer. Therefore, it is crucial for them to remain available and finish the season on a positive note.
As for Alba, he would undoubtedly prefer not to miss any of the remaining matches as this could potentially be his final season with Barcelona. The experienced left-back would want to leave a lasting impression and contribute to the team's success in these last few games.
The accumulation of yellow cards and subsequent suspensions is a common concern for players and teams as the season draws to a close. It requires players to exercise discipline and avoid unnecessary bookings that could result in missing important matches. Coaches and team officials closely monitor the situation and often make tactical decisions to protect key players from suspension.
For Barcelona, it is essential to balance the need for player availability with their desire to finish the season strongly. Xavi Hernandez, in his role as coach, will likely have discussions with the players at risk and emphasize the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding unnecessary disciplinary actions.
The match against Real Sociedad carries significance not only for the immediate result but also for the potential suspensions that could impact the subsequent game against Real Valladolid. Barcelona will need to remain vigilant and ensure that they approach the match with a disciplined mindset, minimizing the risk of yellow card accumulation.
As the season approaches its climax, Barcelona will hope to finish on a high note, both in terms of team performance and individual player contributions. The players mentioned, who are at risk of suspension, will be eager to avoid bookings and actively participate in the team's efforts. Ultimately, their availability and performance could have a significant impact on Barcelona's final position in the league table and their overall season outcome.
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