How can Barcelona challenge Real Madrid for the La Liga title in 2022/23?

While Barcelona may have managed to drag themselves to a silver medal last season, the Spanish giants will know they need to have a closer race this time around.

Watching Real Madrid reclaim their La Liga crown thanks to a 13-point buffer over their Clasico rivals, all eyes are on Xavi's side.

Following public financial problems over the past two years, Barcelona have found themselves stealing numerous titles across Europe this summer.

With a host of superstars at Camp Nou since the summer transfer window opened, Xavi's side should be eagerly awaiting the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Opening their season against Rayo Vallecano on August 13, we took a look at how Barca can challenge Los Blancos this season.

The Lewandoski effect

While former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have made an immediate impact when he arrived in Catalonia earlier in the year, Xavi's men welcomed another European superstar to the Camp Nou.

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With it finally being announced that Polish icon Robert Lewandowski will move to Spain from Bayern Munich in a deal worth £42.5m, Barca will be looking for the player 33 years old to get off to a flying start.

Although the remarkable Karim Benzema may have spearheaded Madrid's double campaign last season, Lewandowski will certainly give the France international a weighty battle for the Golden Boot.

Only continuing to break a string of records since moving to the Allianz Arena from Borussia Dortmund in 2014, the 132-cap international scored 50 goals in 46 games last season as he helped Bayern win a 10th consecutive Bundesliga title.< /p>

Widely regarded by many across Europe as the best number nine in world football, Lewandoski's arrival at Camp Nou could prove vital in Barcelona's title chase.

Find defensive stability

Although Barcelona could have set a real milestone by announcing Lewandoski's arrival earlier in the week, Xavi must find a way for his team to find much-needed stability at the back.

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While Spain's former champions may have already gained a reputation for their robust defensive displays under the likes of Pep Guardiola, they have gained a recent reputation for their leaky backline.

Signing off the 2021/22 campaign with a 2-0 loss to Villarreal, Barca netted 38 strikes in La Liga last season - a worse tally than Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.

Announcing the arrival of former Chelsea player Andreas Christensen on a free transfer following the expiry of the 26-year-old's contract at Stamford Bridge, the Danish defender could be a key part of Xavi's plans.

Eliminated from the Europa League last season after that stunning 3-2 loss to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt, Barca have also only been able to muster two clean sheets in their last 11 appearances in all competitions .

Embark the fans

As well as seeing Christensen and Lewandoski come through the doors this summer, Barcelona have been incredibly busy kicking off Xavi's revolution.

Bloody cash as they finally agreed a £55million deal with Leeds for Brazil international Raphinha, Franck Kessie also arrived on a free transfer from AC Milan .

However, while Xavi's star-studded squad may have hosted a host of European icons at Camp Nou, they are still in the midst of real financial danger.

With the announcement last year that Barca owed £1.2bn in debt due to shocking mismanagement by former president Josep Bartomeu, there has been a clear disconnect between the hierarchy and their fans.

Unable to sell Camp Nou entirely for their European fixtures last season, the former Champions League winners are trying to open a new chapter of trust with much of their supporters.

With Xavi expressing how important Camp Nou support will be at their expense...