Xavi also sees Joao Felix operating in the Lewandowski position

Without Robert Lewandowski, Xavi Hernandez will have to continue to rack his brains to find solutions. He has already had to do so with the very tricky absences of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha. 

A priori, Ferran Torres will be the starting '9' next Sunday at Los Cármenes. It is the most logical thing to do and, moreover, the player from Foios deserves it. He is the second-top scorer with four goals this season. And he wants to show that he not only performs as a bench option, but also that he has something to say when he starts too. 

Beyond that upcoming game in Andalusia, Xavi Hernandez has a number of alternatives on the table to fill the void left by the Polish hitman. One of them is to place Joao Félix as a false nine. Perhaps more of an option when Raphinha recovers, and or it would allow Xavi to use four pure midfielders behind.

They are different profiles, very different, Felix and the former Bayern player. Also Ferran. But the coach is considering the option of putting Joao in the middle. He is not a pure finisher or a reference point, but he offers another kind of thing to the team. And he has goals in his boots.

There is a national team break in between, but Robert won't be available against Athletic, Shakhtar or probably the Clasico.