Barcelona forward eager to prove his worth to Xavi, likely to start vs Unionistas

Barcelona forward Joao Felix is desperate for an opportunity to prove his worth. So far in 2024, though, the Atletico Madrid loanee has struggled for consistent minutes, and apart from the Copa del Rey clash against UD Barbastro, he has not started any game in 2024.

Interestingly enough, a report from SPORT has emerged that Felix is very eager for an opportunity to impress Xavi and he might as well get it tonight when Barcelona take on Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash.

Not a good time for Felix

Felix is currently facing a challenging period in his tenure at Barcelona. Despite being a key player under Xavi during the early stages of the season, his status in the starting lineup has diminished following a lacklustre performance against Almeria.

The opportunity to reverse this trend appeared in the Copa del Rey round of 32 clash vs Barbastro, yet his lacklustre attitude and defensive lapses prompted Xavi to substitute him in the 70th minute, a move that reflected the player’s subpar overall performance.

Joao Felix has started just one game in 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

For what it is worth, he had a goal disallowed in the match against Barbastro due to a questionable offside call, but his overall performance left much to be desired anyway.

A perfect opportunity for redemption

Right now, with Raphinha sidelined due to injury and Lamine Yamal serving a suspension, Xavi faces personnel challenges in the upcoming Copa del Rey fixture.

This situation presents an opportunity for Felix to reclaim a spot in the starting lineup and make a positive impression on the manager.

Meanwhile, it is to be noted that beyond the individual struggles of Felix, Barcelona cannot afford to field subpar players against Unionistas as they have demonstrated their prowess by defeating Sporting de Gijon and Villarreal earlier in the competition. 

Therefore, it is imperative not just for Felix, but also for Barcelona to deliver the best performance for the collective success of the team.