Barcelona fans are worried about starting Jordi Alba for the team’s clash with Sevilla tonight (February 5). The blaugrana can get eight points ahead if they get past Jorge Sampaoli’s men.
It’s been an impressive league campaign for Xavi’s side, who are racing towards their 27th league title at the expense of reigning champions Real Madrid. The next stumbling block on his way is Sevilla’s visit to the Camp Nou.
Xavi chose the full-back for the match, which featured Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the starter in goal, with Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Alba in defence. For their part, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong have been chosen in midfield. Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are in attack.
However, Xavi’s decision to name Alba in the starting eleven makes fans fear a possible setback against Sevilla. The veteran Spanish left-back has been chosen ahead of the impressive Alejandro Balde and summer signing Marcos Alonso.
He has appeared 18 times in all competitions, providing five assists. However, he has not been a regular for the Blaugrana this season. Reports claim that the Barcelona hierarchy is considering dumping the defender in the summer to balance his books.
Alba will be eager to impress for president Joan Laporta and director Mateu Alemany to reconsider their stance. The fans are praying for him to put in a stellar performance against Sevilla.
This is how Twitter reacted to Xavi’s choice of the Spanish veteran:
The race for the LaLiga title is in the hands of Barcelona after the fall of Real Madrid
Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 loss to Mallorca earlier today to place the La Liga title race firmly in the hands of Barcelona. Nacho Fernández’s own goal in the 13th minute was enough for the Whites to suffer their third defeat of the season.
They are now five points behind the Blaugrana ahead of tonight’s match at the Camp Nou. If Xavi’s men beat Sevilla, they will leave with an eight-point lead. To make matters worse for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, no team has won the league title from their current position in two decades.
Barcelona are in fine form, having not been beaten in the league since their 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in El Clásico earlier in the season. They have won four league games in a row, including an impressive 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid. The La Liga title may have a new home at the end of the season, with Barca on pole position.