LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024 has only 5 days left to wrap up. Girona, Real Sociedad, Almería, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla are all waiting for FC Barcelona to finish a challenging season. The goal now is to secure the second position and not let any more points slip away in the last match on May 26 against Sevilla, ensuring a spot in the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia next January, which means six million euros for Barça.
After 33 games played, with Barça having one of the smallest squads in 30 years, and the team’s infirmary never fully empty, there have been a few players who have been consistently in the lineup throughout the season. Only 5 players have surpassed the 2,000-minute mark so far.
Here are the most used players by Xavi in the League:
2,638 minutes
Ilkay Gundogan
The German midfielder is a crucial player for Barça, just like he was for the national team and Manchester City. Gundogan has played in 32 out of 33 games in the League, starting in 29 of them. He has been substituted 6 times and has scored 5 goals, including one from a penalty.
2,449 minutes
Jules Koundé
The Frenchman’s season is definitely one to applaud. Jules began the season as a central defender, his preferred position, but had to switch to the right lane to meet the team’s needs. His transition has been successful, and he has now solidified his place as one of Xavi’s key players, delivering strong performances like the one in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at the Parc des Princes. He has featured in 30 out of 33 possible games, starting in 27 of them. Jules has scored a goal and received 3 yellow cards.
2,393 minutes
Robert Lewandowski
The “killer” Robert Lewandowski, at 35 years old, continues to prove himself as one of the best goal scorers. He remains a crucial player in Xavi’s strategies and is currently in the running for the top scorer of this season with 16 goals, just 3 behind the current leader Dobvyk from Girona with 19 goals. Robert, who was the top scorer in the Spanish league last season, has been the Bundesliga’s top scorer 7 times and has 2 golden boots to his name. He has played in 30 league games this season, starting in 27 of them. Robert has received 5 yellow cards and scored 16 goals, including 3 from penalties.
2,135 minutes
Joao Cancelo
Despite some doubts towards the end of the season, the winger on loan from Manchester City has been a consistent presence in the team and has showcased his skills to the fans and Xavi. Joao has mostly played as a left winger due to Balde’s injury, but the plan is to move him back to the right wing where he performs better. His attacking contributions are appreciated as long as he maintains his defensive duties. Joao has featured in 27 games, starting in 25 of them. He was absent from the squad against Atlético in March due to heart issues that turned out to be minor, and he also served a suspension against Cádiz. Joao has received 5 yellow cards and scored two goals.
2,070 minutes
Marc-André Ter Stegen
The German goalkeeper is a key player in the culé team. Despite a small mistake in the game against Valencia, the captain is a reliable presence in goal. He was sidelined for 3 months due to a back injury during a training camp with the German team. He made his comeback in February against Granada and has been one of the players with the most playing time since then. He has been the hero of several matches and has played in 23 games, all as a starter, conceding 22 goals and making a total of 58 saves.
This content has been translated and adapted from the Spanish version of the digital newspaper
