"Will he feature? According to SPORT, the young midfielder remains one of the most carefully managed players in Flick's squad, and his potential involvement against Guadalajara is far from straightforward. Bernal has not featured in Barcelona's last two matches and his absence is not linked to form or tactical dissatisfaction, but rather to a cautious approach being taken by the coaching staff."
"What makes the situation particularly interesting is that Bernal's most recent appearance was arguably his most impressive of the season. Against Real Betis, the midfielder was introduced for just 27 minutes, yet made a striking impact. That performance evoked memories of Bernal's initial breakthrough with the first team last season, when his fearlessness and technical quality quickly caught the eye."
"However, the reality of his recent history cannot be ignored, as Bernal is still on a carefully monitored recovery path following a serious knee injury. Flick, in that regard, has been clear in his desire to protect the player from setbacks. The manager's approach has been methodical. Rather than exposing Bernal to consecutive high-intensity matches, the coach has chosen to reintroduce him gradually. This explains why predicting his role against Guadalajara is difficult."
Hansi Flick plans rotation for the Copa del Rey opener against Guadalajara because of fixture congestion and recovery management. Marc Bernal remains one of the most carefully managed players, with his involvement uncertain due to gradual reintroduction rather than form issues. Bernal impressed in a 27-minute cameo against Real Betis, recalling his breakthrough displays through fearlessness and technical quality. Bernal is still on a monitored recovery path after a serious knee injury, so Flick has prioritized protection from setbacks and chosen methodical, non-consecutive reintegration. The Copa del Rey could offer minutes, but long-term development takes precedence.
Read at Barca Universal
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