Barcelona president didn’t force team changes – sources،
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has not forced coach Xavi Hernández to make changes to the squad for Wednesday's Champions League match against Antwerp, sources have told ESPN.
Barça announced on Monday that Ronald Araújo, Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gündogan would not travel to Belgium while the Spanish champions' place for the round of 16 is already assured.
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However, an updated squad has been released for Tuesday's match, with Araujo, Lewandowski and Gundogan all added to the traveling party.
A report later suggested Laporta had forced Xavi into the inclusion of the trio, all of whom started Sunday's 4-2 defeat to Girona.
The disappointment after this defeat against Girona, surprise leader of La Liga after 16 games, and the fact that 2.8 million euros are available in prize money for each Champions League match are said to be behind the decision.
Sources insisted to ESPN that the decision was made due to a change of route, with Xavi, Laporta and sporting director Deco all agreeing it made more sense to take Araujo , Lewandowski and Gundogan in Antwerp.
Barca flew to Belgium on Tuesday and will now spend two nights there, instead of the original plan to return straight after the match. He therefore wants all available players with the team as preparations also begin for Saturday's trip to Valencia.
The alternative was for them to stay in Barcelona, training alone for three days.
A source added that it was “tiring” to continually be asked about Laporta and Xavi's relationship, which they described as “excellent”.
Defeats to Real Madrid and Girona, coupled with a draw against Rayo Vallecano, saw Barca fall seven points from first place, increasing the pressure on Xavi, who guided the club to a first league title since 2019 last season.
The Catalan side have, however, progressed in Europe this season, having failed to advance out of the group stage in each of the last two years, falling out of the Europa League in the process.
They have already booked their place in the Champions League last 16 and a point against Antwerp – or Shakhtar Donetsk failing to win in Porto – will guarantee their passage as group winners.
Frenkie de Jong will still miss the match against Antwerp due to fever, while Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso and Gavi are all injured.
