Barcelona’s week could determine Xavi’s continuity at the club

Barcelona are staring at an important week ahead, one that could go a long way in determining various factors, including the future of Xavi Hernandez.

Indeed, Barcelona start the week’s assignment with a home game against Paris Saint-Germain. This will be followed by the Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday.

These are two big games for the Catalans and the outcome of these matches will determine whether or not the club will undergo a trophyless campaign.

Barça’s season could crumble in a week

The outcome against PSG and Real Madrid could be even more important for Xavi Hernandez.

Barcelona’s resurgence, after all, originated from Xavi announcing his desire to leave the club at the end of the season. The Catalans have gone unbeaten since and are still alive in the title race.

Can Xavi engineer another Barcelona brilliance this week? (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

However, Barça’s renewed hopes of silverware could collapse in a matter of a week. That is because a defeat against PSG on an aggregate basis will pour water on hopes of reaching the semifinal stage of the competition.

And if Barcelona go on to lose versus Real Madrid as well, then the club would not be in a position to fight for the league title anymore. Indeed, a Real Madrid win will help Los Blancos extend their lead to 11 points at the top.

Hopes of Xavi’s continuity still there

On the flip side, though, if Barcelona can conjure up back-to-back victories in the next two matches, the club could be in a favourable position heading into the final phase of the campaign.

For one, Barça will book a ticket to the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League and face either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the last four stage.

A win over Real Madrid, meanwhile, will renew the club’s hopes of fighting for the league title and will bridge the gap to just five points.

Such an outcome will reinforce Xavi’s chances of prolonging his stay in Catalonia. The Spaniard, after all, has been able to address almost every problem he complained against and with renewed backing from the players, fans and the board, he will have every reason to continue at Camp Nou.