SM
Lazio vs. Bayern: 21 hrs 59 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
AL
La Liga | Gameweek 23
Feb 3, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio de Mendizorroza
BL
Alaves
1 - 3
Barcelona
Omorodion (51')
Omorodion (12'), Sola (90+7')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Lewandowski (22'), Gundogan (49'), Roque (63')
Roque (67')
Roque (72')

Barcelona boss Xavi plays down Ilkay Gundogan injury fears

:Headline: Barcelona boss Xavi plays down Ilkay Gundogan injury fears:
Barcelona boss Xavi insists that Ilkay Gundogan only picked up "a knock on his back" during Saturday's La Liga contest with Alaves.
Sports Mole

Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that Ilkay Gundogan only picked up "a knock on his back" during Saturday's La Liga contest with Alaves.

The Catalan outfit were without the services of eight players for the clash against the Basque outfit, with Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all unavailable for selection.

Inigo Martinez did make his return from a muscular issue as a late substitute, though, with the Spaniard providing the team with a much-needed fitness boost.

There were concerns surrounding Gundogan when he was forced off in the 59th minute of Barcelona's 3-1 victory.

However, Xavi has said that the Germany international only suffered "a knock" and insisted that there were "no injuries" despite Joao Cancelo also being substituted at the interval as a precaution.

Robert Lewandowski sent Barcelona ahead in the 22nd minute of Saturday's game before Gundogan doubled their advantage in the 49th minute; Samu Omorodion halved the deficit in the 51st minute, but Vitor Roque then added a third for the visitors before being sent off nine minutes later.

"There are no injuries today. Gundogan had a knock on his back, but it was nothing," Xavi told reporters as he calmed the injury fears surrounding the midfielder.

"I replaced Pedri because he was tired. I've brought in Fermin [Lopez] to provide a little more legs to the team."

Andreas Christensen was used in midfield on Saturday, and Xavi hailed the Denmark international's performance in the unfamiliar position.

"I'm happy with Christensen. He will give us discipline there, but because of his technical ability, he can play in the pivot position," said the manager.

"Christensen's position gives us a lot of balance because he has the skill of controlling the ball, but you notice that he excels in defence and this helps us in monitoring.

"I liked Christensen in the pivot position. With the ball, he can be very smooth, and he told me that he is comfortable, and this is an option that we are considering.

"Winning is always positive and there are two victories after my decision to leave. I already said that it was necessary, and here is the team's reaction. Today, finally, we have been more effective. The team has fought. We have been good with and without the ball. It was a good game that strengthened us."

Barcelona are now third in the La Liga table, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, who will play their game in hand against Atletico Madrid on Sunday night. body check tags ::

amp_article__535963 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-02-04 21:36:50:
html db last update - 2024-02-04 08:38:11 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Xavi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Barcelona missing eight players for Alaves clash
Man City see off spirited Copenhagen in last-16 first leg
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid24194152153761
2GironaGirona24175252292356
3Barcelona24156350331751
4Atletico MadridAtletico24153645261948
5Athletic Bilbao24137442212146
6Real BetisBetis2491142825338
7Real Sociedad24910532221037
8Las PalmasLas Palmas2410592520535
9Valencia2410592929035
10Getafe248973233-133
11Osasuna2485112736-929
12AlavesAlaves2476112431-727
13Villarreal2467113446-1225
14Rayo Vallecano2459102132-1124
15Sevilla2458113037-723
16Mallorca2441192131-1023
17Celta Vigo2448122635-920
18CadizCadiz24211111533-1817
19Granada2427152648-2213
20Almeria2407172251-297
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arsenal 'looking to sell Kai Havertz this summer'

1

A'

Chelsea 'monitoring Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez'

2

C'

Preview: Braga vs. Qarabag - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PB

Preview: Molde vs. Legia - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PM

Mohamed Salah back in full Liverpool training after muscle injury

5

MS

Sir Jim Ratcliffe Man United deal approved by Premier League

6

SJ

Bayern 'considered January move for Chelsea winger Mudryk'

7

B'

Kobbie Mainoo 'keeping international options open amid England interest'

8

KM

Preview: Benfica vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

9

PB

Pochettino confirms Gallagher wants to stay at Chelsea

10

PC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .