Marc Bernal was still unknown a month ago, but thanks to a very good American tour, the 17-year-old left-footer has earned his stripes as a starter with FC Barcelona. Praised by Pep Guardiola, the midfielder has made a place for himself at the start of the Liga season. Long-lasting or just an epiphenomenon?
Ilkay Gundogan went back to Manchester City a year after arriving in Barcelona and if relations with Hansi Flick Since his brief stint at the helm of the Nationalmannschaft, the reason has been fresh, the reason has appeared mainly sporting, even if the departure of a large salary has not displeased John LaportaThe new Blaugrana coach has promoted the two Marcs: Married et Bernal.
But it is above all the youngest, Marc Bernal, 17 years old, who already seems to be making his mark in the midfield of Barça. Holder against Valencia then theAthleticthe teenager is not as popular as Lamine Yamal et Pau Cubarsi but he had two very interesting first outings against big names in La Liga. A surprise because we didn’t think much of him after he saw Lamine Camara pass him after a short restart of Marc-André ter Stegen during Barça’s defeat against Monaco at the Gamper Trophy on August 12.
Knighted by Guardiola
At Mestalla, partnering Casadó, he only missed three passes in 71 minutes and lost no balls. At Montjuïc, this time alone in front of the defence, he made 51/53 in 83 minutes and lost two balls. Encouraging statistics for a player who looks like a Sergio Busquets by height (1.91m) which has already been the subject of a survey in Marca to validate the lineage…
To reach the level of the man who has been an essential symbol of his club over the last 15 years, Bernal still has a lot to do. But having caught the eye of Flick, who has seen others at Bayernattracts attention. While Gavi is in the recovery phase after his knee injury and that Frenkie de Jong is injured again, Bernal’s arrival in the hierarchy adds competition in an ultra-competitive sector. Flick’s goal is to find the best complement to PedriThe initial system looks like a double pivot (this is clearly seen on the average position maps of the players) but the Canarian must remain free in his movements, which makes it possible to evolve in a 4-3-3 in the offensive phase.
The overseas tours are grueling for the players, lucrative for the clubs, but they also allow youngsters to stand out while the stars are on holiday or are used sparingly. In 2023, Fermin Lopez thus avoided a transfer to Poland and became European champion and Olympic champion in quick succession at the end of the season. In 2024, it was Bernal who benefited from the matches in the United States. “Bernal was extraordinary, how he controls, how he plays” : these compliments are not signed by just anyone since they come from Pep Guardiola after Barça-City on July 31 (2-2, 4 on penalties to 1), a man who knows his job a bit.
After the victory against Athletic on Saturday, Flick also painted a glowing picture of Bernal’s debut at the highest level, after just one year with the club. Barça Atléticothe subsidiary which plays in the 3rd division: “His age doesn’t matter. He’s been playing very well since preseason and it was very important to have him as a pivot today. He brings us things that we need.” For the moment, one area of improvement has jumped out at you, especially given his size: his difficulties in the aerial duel: he didn’t win any, neither against Valencia (0/1) nor against Athletic (0/4). He still needs to gain physical depth, even if his volume of play and maturity are already astonishing for such a young player.
The Catalan sports press was quick to follow suit, detailing in detail all of the exploits of the Manresa native since his arrival at La Masia just 10 years ago. In 7-a-side football, he played 153 matches and scored 243 goals, an average of 1.58 per match. As he got older, the ratio logically decreased. At 11, he played 133 matches and scored 37 goals (0.27 per match). Under the orders of Rafa Marquezhe started 31 times in 35 matches and scored 2 goals.
Against Valencia, Casadó appeared more in a more offensive register with 3 attempts, one of which could have turned into a goal without an intervention in extremis on the line. But it is precisely because he is in a defensive register that Bernal has more chances to impose himself and enter the rotation permanently. An essential first step before comparing him to the incomparable.
