New Delhi: Barcelona’s amazing win against Rayo Vallencano was quite impressive but it may have costed Marc Bernal his season as the young talent is likely be sidelined for a while. During the closing minutes of the game, Bernal suffered an ACL injury following a rash tackle from Rayo midfielder Isi Palazon.
Bernal’s performance has made him a fan favourite and manager Hansi Flick has admitted post Rayo victory that the 17-year-old’s injury was a big setback for the side. One of the reasons Barcelona are worried is Bernal is the only player in the club who can play as a pivot. Barcelona have got a few options they can look outside their squad in the B team as well as in the market.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot (Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
One of the first players who has the qualification to play in the position is Adrien Rabiot. The French international has been a free agent from Juventus and has been linked with the La Liga side for a while now and could be an option who can replace Bernal. Rabiot has a fair amount of experience in the big European league and is quite versatile to make up for the young midfielder.
Rabiot can play as both a central midfielder and a playmaker who can play in an advanced position on the pitch, be both defensive and an aggressor, and have the discipline that someone like Marc Casado lacks. Casado has been tried in both no.6 and at no.8 but lacks Rabiot’s versatality.
Danilo Pereira
Danilo Pereira (Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
Danilo Pereira is in the final year of contract with Paris Saint-Germain and has been linked with Barca for quite a while now. He is an option that the Catalonia club has been interested in for a while, though his style is much different from Bernal but Pereira will be a good addition to Barcelona’s midfield.
The Portuguese international is more of a defensive midfielder and is known for his physical strength and has a tactical discipline and break into oppositions playing. Bernal is technically more superior in many terms but Pereira can balance the club’s defence and let the others play with more freedom.
Pau Prim
Pau Prim (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Another option for Barcelona is to go to the academy and bring in Pau Prim who could be on a fast track to the senior team. He is a defensive by instinct and has been impressing critics as an exciting prospect from the junior setup.
Prim has a similar style to Bernal and the 18-year-old is part of the Barca Atletic this season. While there is still a doubt if Prim can fit with the senior team, most players from La Masia have settled in the senior team with an ease. For Barca, Prim is the best option that is available to them in-house.
With Marc Bernal sidelined for a major part of the season due to ACL injury, here are three players, Barca can look at to replace him. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
