EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Barcelona announces squad for the first matchday

Julian Araujo

Barcelona plays the first match of the season on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano in Camp Nou. Barcelona would be looking for a win to kick start their new campaign and avenge last season’s losses against the same team. Rayo Vallecano did the double over Barcelona last season. But the Garnet and Blues are a different team now. Having signed Lewandowski, Kounde, Rapinha, Christensen, and Kessie, and also renewing the contracts of Dembele and Roberto, they would be looking for a season where they can compete for titles. This season, the league is the absolute priority. The ambitions are realistically high after the terrific performances during the pre-season.

Coach Xavi Hernandez has released his 23-man squad for the game ahead. The squad included all the newly registered players except for Kounde, who is still recovering from an injury.

Barcelona’s squad list contains a few surprises.

The list carried a couple of surprises, which were, in all honesty, expected.  Umtiti, Braithwaite was left out from the 23-man squad. The club has been clear about them, even publically stating that they should look for other clubs. Xavi doesn’t consider the players as part of his team. While Umtiti is open to leaving the club, Martin Braithwaite has reportedly chosen to stay there. He would prefer to stay at the club and enjoy the lavish contract valid until 2024.

The most surprising exclusion is that of Sergio Dest. The American teenager was signed by Ajax in 2021. But he is yet to reach his potential. The caches believe he has yet to understand the club’s football style. The club has put Dest in the market, with some reports suggesting Manchester United’s united in him. The club is also looking for a new right back, idolizing Dani Alves style as the requirement. The player is, however, willing to prove the coaches wrong and still fight for his place.

Barca starts their 2022-2023 La Liga campaign against Rayo Vallecano. They would indeed look for a win to capitalize on their pre-season performances.  

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