Xavi could include 19-year-old La Masia ace on Barcelona squad list vs Mallorca

As Barcelona prepare to take on RCD Mallorca in La Liga on Friday night, manager Xavi Hernandez called up several young talents to train with the first team today.

Indeed, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Gerard Martín, Mika Faye, Mamadou Mbacke, and Unai Hernandez all trained with the senior team, along with Pau Cubarsi, Marc Guiu, Marc Casado, Hector Fort, and Diego Kochen, who are all regulars in the first-team sessions.

Unai Hernandez could get a call-up

Building on that, the report states that Xavi could include young midfielder Unai Hernandez on the squad list for Barcelona’s game against Mallorca tomorrow.

The Blaugrana go into the game without a number of key players, especially in midfield. Gavi has been out since November while Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are also ruled out due to the injuries they sustained against Athletic Club last week.

Pedri and De Jong are ruled out. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

It leaves Xavi with only Fermin Lopez, Ilkay Gundogan, and Oriol Romeu as natural midfielders, although Sergi Roberto would also be an option.

Even then, given the shortage of choices, the manager is expected to call up 19-year-old Unai to the squad.

The La Masia talent is a versatile operator capable of playing as an interior or on the left flank and has scored five and assisted four goals for Barça Atletic this season.

Unai has been a part of the matchday squad in six La Liga matches with the first team, but is yet to make his official debut. Whether that changes tomorrow will be interesting to see, although he might have to compete with Casado for a spot.

Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/xavi-could-include-19-year-old-la-masia-ace-on-barcelona-squad-list-vs-mallorca/

Author : Michel Durant

Publish date : 2024-03-07 13:28:43

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