Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is facing a significant challenge in the midfield as the team prepares for the matches beyond the international break.
The Blaugrana squad has been hit hard by injuries, which could severely impact their performance in the weeks ahead. This situation has left Flick with limited options, and he may need to turn to the club’s youth academy to fill the gaps.
Marc Bernal, one of Barcelona’s promising midfielders, suffered a severe injury last week that will keep him sidelined for almost the entire season. This is a huge blow to the team, as Bernal was expected to play a key role in Barcelona’s campaign.
To make matters worse, Fermin Lopez, another talented midfielder, sustained an injury while playing for the Spanish national team. Lopez’s injury means that he will be unavailable for at least three weeks, a period that will stretch until 25 September.
These injuries have left Barcelona with only four fit midfielders: Marc Casado, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Pablo Torre. With such a thin roster, Flick has few choices and may have to rely on players from Barcelona’s youth academy to step up.
Here are three young players who could potentially fill the void:
Aleix Garrido
Aleix Garrido is a 20-year-old midfielder who has recently been named one of the captains of Barça Athletic. Last season, Garrido was a key player for Rafa Marquez’s team, contributing a goal and four assists in 23 appearances.
His vision and passing abilities have earned him the nickname “little magician,” and he is known for his hard work on the pitch.
Garrido underwent surgery in July to address a recurring injury to his left foot, but he is now fully recovered and eager to prove himself in the first team. Given the current shortage of midfielders, this could be Garrido’s chance to make an impact at the highest level.
Pau Prim
Pau Prim has also been making strides in Barça Athletic’s midfield, especially following the promotion of Marc Bernal and Marc Casado to the first team.
Prim started in the first two matches of the season against Real Union de Irun and Andorra, and he has been vocal about his desire to secure a regular spot in the team.
Last season, Prim spent most of his time with the Juvenil A team under Oscar Lopez, only making 26 appearances for Barça Athletic and accumulating just 356 minutes of playtime.
Despite this, Prim is determined to make his mark this season and push for a place in Hansi Flick’s first team. The recent change in formation at Barça Athletic could work in his favour, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his talents.
Unai Hernandez
Unai Hernandez is another young talent who could be called upon by Hansi Flick in the coming weeks. Hernandez played a key role in Barça Athletic’s friendly win against Hospitalet, wearing the captain’s armband and scoring the opening goal.
He has shown his versatility by playing both in central midfield and on the left flank under Rafa Marquez’s guidance. With the current lack of options in midfield, this could be the perfect moment for Flick to give Hernandez a chance to prove himself on the big stage.
In conclusion, Flick is faced with a tough situation as Barcelona’s midfield is severely depleted due to injuries. With Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez out of action, Flick must explore alternative solutions, possibly turning to the club’s youth academy.
Aleix Garrido, Pau Prim, and Unai Hernandez are three promising young players who could step up and help Barcelona navigate this challenging period.
While it remains to be seen how Flick will manage the situation, one thing is clear: these young talents have a golden opportunity to make their mark in the first team.
