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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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Las Palmas
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 Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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