Barca B coach Sergi Barjuan will be in charge at Camp Nou
after Koeman’s sacking was confirmed on Wednesday night following a 1-0 defeat
by Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas.
Xavi Hernandez is reportedly close to being appointed as
Koeman’s replacement but the return of the club’s legendary midfielder is not
expected to come before the weekend.
There should be a buzz of excitement nonetheless, with the
prospect of Xavi coming back to the club he joined as an 11-year-old and left
in 2015 enough to stir the players and fans.
Barjuan oversaw training on Thursday afternoon, when
Barcelona president Joan Laporta also addressed the squad, explaining the
decision to dismiss Koeman and emphasising the onus is now on them to spark a
revival.
“We’re all in the same boat here,” Sergio Busquets said on
Wednesday night. “It’s everyone’s fault. For good and bad, we’re a team and we
have to show it on the pitch.”
Two wins in seven league games have left Barca languishing
in ninth, six points adrift of Real Betis in fourth.
The increasingly real possibility of failing to qualify for
next season’s Champions League was likely a key factor in Koeman’s removal.
Finishing in the top four will be the top priority for
Koeman’s replacement but the other immediate objective will be to reach the
Champions League knock-out stage this season after consecutive 3-0 losses to
Bayern Munich and Benfica left the team on the brink of an early exit.
Beating Dynamo 1-0 last week has given Barca hope but they
will need another victory in Kiev on Tuesday against the bottom team in Group B
to have any realistic chance of overhauling Benfica.
Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, and Pedri are all doubtful
to face Alaves, who have enjoyed an upturn in form after two consecutive wins
over Cadiz and Elche.
Ansu Fati could return after missing the defeat by Rayo,
with Sergio Aguero set to continue upfront.
Real Madrid’s goalless draw at home to Osasuna on Wednesday
was overshadowed by Koeman’s exit but Carlo Ancelotti’s team missed the chance
to go two points clear at the top of the table.
“You might think I’m crazy but I liked the way we played,”
said Ancelotti after being held by Osasuna.
“The first half, not so much, but in the second half, much
better. I have nothing to criticise my players for.”
Instead, Madrid are three points behind Real Sociedad, who
have lost only one of their opening 11 games. They host Basque rivals Athletic
Club on Sunday.
Sevilla and Betis in third and fourth face each other next
weekend in a much-anticipated Seville derby that for once should have a bearing
on the top of the table.
Before then, Sevilla are at home to Osasuna and Betis play
away at Atletico Madrid, who are five points off the top after being held to a
2-2 draw on Thursday by Levante.
Atleti face Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League on
Wednesday.
Fixtures (GMT)
Saturday
Elche v Real Madrid (1200), Sevilla v Osasuna (1415),
Valencia v Villarreal (1630), Barcelona v Alaves (1900)
Sunday
Cadiz v Mallorca (1200), Atletico Madrid v Real Betis
(1415), Getafe v Espanyol (1630), Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (1900)
Monday
Rayo Vallecano v Celta Vigo (1630), Levante v Granada (1900)
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