Barcelona La Liga Hero Set to Make Champions League, El Clasico Debut

Barcelona La Liga Hero Set to Make Champions League, El Clasico Debut

Ero Samson
updated at October 24, 2023 at 10:44 AM
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  • Barcelona have been plagued with injuries in recent weeks
  • The La Liga club heads into a crucial week of the season with only 13 senior players
  • A La Masia graduate who starred recently in La Liga is on course to make his UCL debut

Recent news regarding the fitness of players at Barcelona have taken a grim turn. Injuries seem to be plaguing Xavi Hernandez's team relentlessly, leaving the club in a constant state of turmoil.

Following their recent victory against Athletic Club, the 43-year-old manager confirmed that two of his players would be sidelined for an extended period.

La Liga, Barcelona, Marc Guiu
Barcelona needed the heroics of debutant Marc Guiu to secure victory against Athletic Club. Image: Jose Breton.
Source: Getty Images

This unfortunate situation compounds the challenge of having just 13 first-team players available for the La Liga giants, as reported by Fotmob.

As they approach a critical phase of the season, with an impending showdown against Real Madrid, Barcelona's prospects are looking increasingly bleak.

However, amidst this adversity, a glimmer of hope emerges as they gear up for crucial fixtures in the season, including a significant UEFA Champions League match.

Last weekend's hero against Athletic Club is set to remain with the first team and make his UCL debut.

Barcelona hero to make UCL debut

The Catalan giants required the service of 17-year-old academy star Marc Guiu to secure all three points against Ernesto Valverde's side.

The Spanish U-17 international who was able to slot a pass from Joao Felix past the onrushing Unai Simon barely 30 seconds into his first team debut, is now set to be available for Xavi and the club's first team coaches for an extended period, as reported by Barca Universal.

The availability of Guiu who was the topscorer at the recently concluded U-17 European Championship, comes at a pivotal time for Barcelona given the fitness status of striker Robert Lewandowski and the overall dynamism he offers the club's attack, which appears somewhat different from what alternative forward Ferran Torres offers.

Sadly for Xavi, he may not be able to count on the service of the teenage sensation beyond this month, as Guiu is sure to be the first name on Hernan Perez's list of players representing Spain at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

Marc Guiu's mother moved to tears

Sports Brief earlier reported on Guiu's mother being reduced to tears after she saw her son score Barcelona's winning goal.

His father expressed his pride with a broad, beaming smile, applauding the memorable achievement.

Guiu has now become the youngest player to score on his debut for Barcelona in the 21st century, achieving this remarkable feat at the age of 17 years and 291 days.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).
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