The season has only just begun and Barça is off to a flying start statistically speaking: two league games, two wins, seven goals against Levante and the first title of the season under their belt after beating Atlético in the Supercup. However, amongst the players the vibes are not so good and the stars of the Catalan squad are still not 'twinkling'.
Leo Messi, Barça's undisputed number one player has only played one full match so far this season. Neymar made his debut at the Camp Nou in the starting eleven against Atlético and even Martino openly admitted that there had been very little contact between the Brazilian and Messi during the match. By now you would expect them to be accustomed to playing together. From here on in, if Messi is not in the starting lineup it will be for a purely technical decision. Just as it was when Andrés Iniesta was left on the bench.
It's all down to Xavi now
In the two league games played so far, Iniesta was a substitute against Levante and was substituted against Malaga. At the Calderón stadium he was included in the starting eleven but only played the last twenty minutes of the second-leg.
Chances are that Iniesta will be back in the lineup in Mestalla and Xavi will be substitute. He is one of just five players, together with Valdés, Piqué, Mascherano and Alexis, who have played every match. He is the only player left who hasn’t taken a break from midfield duties as Busquets didn't play in Málaga and Cesc was on the bench at the Calderón.
In the two league games played so far, Iniesta was a substitute against Levante and was substituted against Malaga. At the Calderón stadium he was included in the starting eleven but only played the last twenty minutes of the second-leg.
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