Xavi: 'Lewandowski is overloaded'

"Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski are playing more than the right time for them. I think they are overloaded. That's why I have to substitute", Xavi explained about how to adjust personnel in the victory against Cadiz 2 -0 February 19.

Xavi replaced 6 starting positions in this match compared to when he drew Man Utd 2-2 on February 16. The Catalan team did not have many difficulties when the result of the match was decided by them in the first half. Lewandowski scored Barca's winner in extra time, after Sergi Roberto opened the scoring.

Confident with a two-goal difference, Xavi withdrew the Polish and De Jong strikers from the field at the start of the second half, replacing them with Franck Kessie and Raphinha. Barca coach only used three substitutions this match when he added young player Angel Alarcon to replace Ansu Fati at the end of the game.

"Pedri has been injured, and we can't have other players in the same situation as him. Tomorrow we will prepare for Thursday's game. Let's wait and see how tired the players are. anyway," Xavi admitted.

The victory helps Barca maintain an eight-point gap with rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga race. Barca will march to Man Utd's Old Trafford to kick the second leg of the Europa League knock-out play-off round on the evening of February 23. It is expected that Xavi will announce the list to the UK on February 21.

Besides Pedri, Barca certainly does not have Gavi due to suspension.