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Las Palmas
La Liga | Gameweek 19
Jan 4, 2024 at 8.30pm UK
Estadio de Gran Canaria
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Las Palmas
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Barcelona

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Xavi: 'Vitor Roque must be given time to adapt'

Xavi: 'Vitor Roque must be given time to adapt'
© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi calls for calm when it comes to new signing Vitor Roque, who could make his debut for the club against Las Palmas.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has called for calm when it comes to new signing Vitor Roque.

The 18-year-old's arrival at Camp Nou has now been confirmed, with his switch from Athletico Paranaense taking place six months earlier than had initially been agreed.

Roque has arrived at Barcelona off the back of scoring 28 goals and registering 11 assists in 81 appearances for Athletico Paranaense in all competitions.

The Catalan outfit are attempting to register his signing with La Liga in time for him to be involved in Thursday's contest with Las Palmas, and he has been named in the initial squad.

However, amid the excitement from the club's supporters, Xavi has said that Barcelona "will be cautious" when it comes to the teenager and insisted that he must be given time "to adapt".

"I'm counting on him, he's still to be registered, I guess it's a matter of hours. But I hope to have him in the squad," the head coach told reporters during Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

"We don't want to burden him with responsibility. He is very young, he has to adapt. He's doing well, he's eager and he's adapted very quickly to the group and to training. But we will be cautious."

Xavi also insisted that Roque can play in the same side as Robert Lewandowski, who has only managed nine goals for the Catalan giants thus far this season.

"Yes, Vitor and Lewy can adapt. There will be no problem for them to play together," he added.

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on December 10, 2023© Reuters

Xavi also paid tribute to Las Palmas, with Garcia Pimienta's side impressing this season, sitting 10th in the La Liga table following their promotion from the Segunda Division last term.

"Along with Girona, I think they are one of the revelations of the season. Pimienta is a great coach, they are playing very well," he added.

"Their game is very similar to what we want, because of the attacking approach, the triangulation... I know him (Pimienta) well, we played together in the reserve team and I wish him all the best. It will be a fight for the ball. They're a tough opponent."

Barcelona are currently fourth in the La Liga table on 38 points, boasting a record of 11 wins, five draws and two defeats from their 18 league matches this season.

The Catalan side are seven points behind both leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Girona, but the gap could have widened by the time that the reigning champions take to the field on Thursday, with the top two both in action on Wednesday night.

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17.0%
Draw
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Barcelona
65.9%
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Barcelona's Vitor Roque holds up a scarf during the unveiling on December 27, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3849253879-4121
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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