SM
West Ham vs. Liverpool: 3 hrs 26 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:


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
Liverpool reach agreement with Feyenoord over Arne Slot fee
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


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

Saturday's Premier League predictions including Manchester United vs. Burnley

1

SP

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

2

TW

Saturday's Transfer Talk Update: Olise, Toney, Lunin

NEW

3

ST

Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami

4

SM

Chelsea 'join race for in-demand manager after Liverpool snub'

5

C'

Spurs to test Brentford resolve with £45m offer for in-demand star?

6

ST

Spurs 'well-placed to sign key Chelsea star this summer'

7

S'

Preview: Porto vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PP

"Everyone should back him" - Ten Hag insists Man Utd star needs support

9

&S

Preview: Spurs vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PS


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