MY ACCOUNT
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already joined an illustrious group of players at Barcelona.
The former Arsenal striker scored his fifth goal in his first six LaLiga games last weekend, joining the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Romario and Johan Cruyff in achieving that feat.
After a sour end to his Gunners career, Aubameyang has helped lift the Blaugrana by playing a key role in helping Xavi’s side back into Spain’s top three.
As Barca look to seal a Europa League quarter-final place with victory at Galatasaray tonight, with one eye already on Sunday’s El Clasico, we take a look at the Gabon international’s role in their revival.
Speedy start
Goals were an issue for much of Barca’s torrid start to the season under Ronald Koeman, as well as in the early months of Xavi’s reign.
Having solved the financial woes which obliterated their first team last summer — at least in the short term — the Calatan club brought in multiple attacking options in January.
Ferran Torres came first from Manchester City, then Adama Traore from Wolves and at the very last minute on deadline day, Aubameyang arrived at the Camp Nou.
Both Torres and Traore have impressed with 12 goal involvements between them but it is Aubameyang who has helped his new side rediscover their cutting edge.
Since Aubemeyang arrived Barca have drawn a blank just once in nine games — their 0-0 draw with Galatasaray last week, where he was only introduced in the 61st minute.
His six strikes in all competitions are just one shy of the tally he had for Arsenal prior to his mid-season switch.
Having picked up the 32-year-old for free after the Gunners agreed to terminate his contract, Xavi knows the cash-strapped club are lucky to have been able to secure his services.
Earlier this week, the Barca boss said: “Aubameyang is a present that has fallen out of the sky.
“It’s not just [the goals], it’s how he trains and his professionalism. He’s an example.”
Gala bingo
A 10-game unbeaten run — of which seven were victories — has undoubtedly kickstarted former midfielder Xavi’s era as manager but an exit in Europe’s second competition could send them crashing back down to earth.
Having been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, Barca are considered the heavyweights of this season’s Europa League.
Securing European silverware would do Xavi’s reputation no harm at all and it would be their first on the continent in seven years.
Any suggestions that Barca would not take this competition seriously were quelled by their boss earlier this week.
He said: “Our main objective is to be in the Champions League. Right now we are in the Europa League, and winning it will give us access to the Champions League.
“So we really want to win it, even if it is the Europa League.”
El Clasico balancing act
With his inaugural LaLiga El Clasico in the dugout on Sunday, tonight’s tie is a tricky one to negotiate for Xavi.
While the title is out of the question, bragging rights are always at stake and victory would do wonders to strengthen their grip on a place in the top four — something that looked like no guarantee earlier this campaign.
For that reason, it looks like a pivotal week for Barca’s legendary midfielder-turned-manager.
Another European exit and defeat against their fierce rivals could prompt hysteria from all corners once again.
Alternatively, progression to the last eight and an El Clasico victory may just convince Barca fans that Xavi and Aubameyang are bringing the good times back to the Camp Nou.
