Xavi has decided on Lewandowski’s replacement for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona will face one of their biggest tests of the 2022/23 season this weekend when they lock horns with Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano.

Having stumbled in their last league match against Espanyol, the Catalans have left the door open for Real Madrid to move to the top of the La Liga table and must correct course when they face Atleti on Sunday.

However, their task is made much more difficult by the absence of superstar Robert Lewandowski. The 34-year-old has been the Catalan giants’ ace goalscorer this season and is leading the charts for most goals in the Spanish top flight.

But, Lewandowski will be unable to take the field against Atletico Madrid as his three-match ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). It has given a major headache to Xavi about who he will deploy as the striker this weekend.

And, according to today’s cover page of SPORT, the Barcelona manager has already decided on who will be replacing Lewandowski as the No. 9 when the team face Atletico Madrid this weekend.

Xavi, as per the report, has decided to back young Ansu Fati to take over the responsibility ahead of Memphis Depay and Ferran Torres.

The latter duo had started for the Blaugrana in their recent Copa del Rey clash against CF Intercity but failed to make any sort of impact on the night.

Fati, meanwhile, came off the bench and scored the winning goal for Barcelona in extra time, helping them secure a 4-3 victory and progress into the Round of 16.

While the 20-year-old had struggled to do much of note against Espanyol, the manager seems to be convinced that Fati could make a difference for the team when they play Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

Fati himself is feeling confident after his goal against Intercity, as he said in a recent interview: “I’m very happy for the goal and for getting through to the next round, it always gives a striker confidence to score.

“Although there is a lot of talk, I am calm, working every day because, with hard work everything will come, I am going to give everything for this club and for the fans who support me so much.”

In 22 matches this season, Ansu has scored four goals and set up three more. Barcelona will need him to step up in the upcoming games, starting against Atletico Madrid.