Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has provided an insight into his plans to fit both Robert Lewandowski and Vitor Roque into his attacking setup across the remainder of the term.
Barca, of course, marked their return to action earlier this evening, booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey at the expense of minnows Barbastro.
Both of the aforementioned pair Lewandowski and Roque, meanwhile, were introduced off the bench, with the former having converted a crucial late penalty to assure the visitors of victory.
Fellow frontman Roque, on the other hand, was made use of out wide, largely struggling to make an impact on proceedings.
Ahead of a long and potentially arduous 2nd half of the season in Catalunya’s capital, questions, in turn, have already begun to spread regarding how exactly Barcelona’s coaching staff intend to make use of Lewandowski and January arrival Roque moving forward.
Boss Xavi has long favoured a system featuring one out-and-out centre-forward, leaving one, seemingly, as the odd man out.
Speaking to the media post-match on Sunday, the Spanish tactician was therefore questioned on as much.
And Xavi went on to assure that his two strikers can undoubtedly take to the pitch alongside one another, hinting that Roque may be utilised across a number of positions before the season is out:
“Vitor Roque and Lewandowski can play together,” he began. “I think they can adapt perfectly and Vitor can play well in various positions.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
