Underperforming FC Barcelona Star May Be Dropped For Spanish Super Cup
As posed by SPORT, an underperforming Joao Felix could be dropped by head coach Xavi Hernandez for this week’s Spanish Super Cup.
The Blaugrana heads to the Middle East to face last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up Osasuna in a last four meeting.
Beating the Basques will give the Catalans the chance to retain their trophy by then getting past either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in a Riyadh final.
But as pointed out by SPORT on Monday, they might embark on this quest without Felix after another display to forget in the Huesca region on Sunday night.
Before the weekend, MARCA highlighted how Felix and Robert Lewandowski are no longer untouchables under Xavi in a conclusion taken from Thursday’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas
Felix started that fixture on the bench in favor of the man who scored the equalizer, Ferran Torres, after an unflattering performance against Almeria in Barca’s last competitive match of 2023.
Away at Barbastro on Sunday in the Blaugrana’s Copa del Rey debut, there was room for both Felix and Ferran in the starting lineup as they ran out on the left wing and as striker respectively with Lewandowski rested.
Felix failed to impress, however, and cut a dejected figure with a number of outbursts caught on camera after he had a goal disallowed.
“He started out with some glimpses of his quality, but soon became blurred and unmotivated on the pitch,” noted AS correspondent Javi Miguel, who added that Felix “still offers too many ups and downs to seriously consider signing him this summer”.
Yet it would appear that Felix – on loan from Atletico Madrid – has more immediate issues to worry about in the here and now such as keeping his place in the first XI.
Lewandowski will undoubtedly get the nod against Osasuna, meaning that Felix and Ferran are fighting for just one vacant spot on the left wing.
Based on current form, this could go to the Spain international while the pair also have to worry about the emergence of new signing Vitor Roque who was put in their position once Lewandowski entered the fray at Barbastro.
