Three objectives Barcelona have set for 2024 in a bid to retain La Liga title – report

FC Barcelona will be looking to put their nose to the grindstone after an uninspiring first half of the season.

If things continue as they are, the Catalan giants can kiss their hopes of retaining the title goodbye, as they trail behind Girona and Real Madrid by a considerable margin.

But the season is long, and the Christmas break allows Barça to recuperate before once again entering the action.

Now, SPORT have outlined the three objectives that Barcelona have set that the team aims to fulfill in 2024.

Recovering the level of some important players

Indeed, one of the requirements for Xavi Hernandez is to help recover the level of important players in the squad.

The names mentioned include Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski, who were flying high last season, but this term looks like a pale shadow of their former selves.

Balde’s contributions in the attacking third have dropped considerably, with a notable decline in decision-making and final ball quality, while Lewandowski has been accused of regularly firing blanks in front of goal.

The pair’s diminishing form is testified by the fact that Joao Cancelo has replaced Balde in the left-back position, and Lewandowski has the most big chances missed in La Liga.

In the event they return to their best level next year, Barcelona will be able to gain a critical boost in their quest for titles.

Get a consistent version of Joao Felix

Having joined Barcelona on deadline day, Joao Felix has had a topsy-turvy loan spell in Barcelona.

Although he has been responsible for producing in big moments, like in the Champions League or against his parent club, Atletico Madrid, the biggest issue Felix has found thus far is maintaining consistent output.

Against Almeria, most recently, he reportedly infuriated Xavi with a lazy first-half performance, which saw him get taken off at half-time.

As such, it is no surprise to see the team aspiring to have a version of Felix who is more dependable throughout the campaign and does not impress in spurts.

During the first half of the season, Felix recorded nine goal contributions for the Catalan giants, but it is easy to see why that number could have been higher.

Restoring order and defensive solidity

Indeed, the major headache for Xavi this term has been the absence of cohesion in and out of possession.

On the ball, Barcelona have had its fair share of troubles owing to a lack of emphasis on controlling game states and consequently descending into chaos.

But the biggest issues reside out of possession: players look like deer caught in the headlights as there is hesitancy in actions and the team is comfortably prised open in transition.

The defenders have been made to pay for the lack of organization. On many occasions, Barcelona have been completely exposed to long balls in behind or any quick counter-attacking scenarios.

After having one of their best defensive campaigns of all time under Xavi last season, the page has flipped completely this season. And Xavi recognizes that they must go back to their old ways to solve this challenge.