How Barca could do with one more quality centre half in a Daniel Agger or David Luiz mould. The temptation to restore Abidal in central defence must be overpowering, the Catalans need his pace to prevent their high line being horribly exposed.
To add injury to insult, Iniesta is out for a month and Sanchez two. We have all already praised the Catalans for having more attacking options this season; however their resources are already being stretched. Guardiola`s luxury of being able to rotate has just been reduced.
Fabregas has a made a fine start to his Barca career but now he must shoulder the responsibility as the teams primary attacking midfielder. Sanchez`s injury gives Afellay a chance to prove his worth to the team. The Dutchman was in danger of becoming marginalised; now he must step up to the plate. The Barca attack has tremendous pressure put on it to monopolise possession and outscore the opposition and that pressure has just gone up a few notches.
La Liga and the Champions league are in their nascent stages and if history has taught us anything it`s Barcelona under Guardiola find a way to succeed come the business end of the season. However this is a particularly strong season, with Madrid looking stronger than ever, and the likes of Man city providing new threats on the horizon.
The Catalans are easily the world’s finest team, but their aura of invincibility is precarious as Guardiola knows too well. They remain unbeaten this season, but a few more results like yesterday and their rivals domestically and abroad will smell blood. Guardiola is wise to all this and expect him to elicit a response from his charges come the weekend.
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