Yusuf Demir in a duel with Juve star Rodrigo Bentancur.
Yusuf Demir plays himself in the limelight at Barca. The next injury to a star makes it more and more likely to be used at the start of the season.
Sergio Agüero is out! The Argentine star striker was signed by FC Barcelona on a free transfer from Manchester City in the summer. In the pre-season season, the 33-year-old sustained a tendon injury on his right knee that could put him out of action for a long time. In the Spanish media there is even talk of a compulsory break of around ten weeks.
The Catalans' hospital continues to fill up. Especially on the offensive, the Spaniards plague personnel worries. For an Austrian, this is the big chance for a breakthrough at the top club: Yusuf Demir .
The 18-year-old Viennese moved from Rapid to Barca in the summer, fulfilling a childhood dream. In the past season Demir was only used sporadically by Rapid trainer Didi Kühbauer, often only as a joker. Many people in this country viewed his move to Barca critically. Many fear that he could obstruct his career due to a lack of match practice.
At the moment everything points to a meteoric rise. In preparation, Demir comes to the first team. On Sunday, Barca with Demir in the starting eleven beat Juventus Turin with Cristiano Ronaldo in the friendly 3-0. The young Viennese did the preparatory work for the 1-0 from Memphis Depay (3rd minute). Coach Ronald Koeman on the Austrian: “He can play in the first team, you have to give him the chance!”
Demir was called up in the Messi position. In 4-2-3-1 he started right next to the stars Memphis and Antoine Griezmann in the attacking midfield. Before that, the Dane Martin Braithwaite acted as solo head.
In any case, Messi will not be able to reclaim his position at Barca. A few hours before the test match, the Argentine announced his departure after 21 years at the club in an emotional press conference. Barca fail to comply with the Spanish league's salary rules. The “magic flea” has to go, probably moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
The superstar leaves the greatest of all gaps. The list of his possible successors just before the start of the season is not too long. Because: Not only Agüero is missing injured. Ousmane Dembele injured his knee at EURO with France and will be out for at least three months. Ansu Fati has been absent from the Catalans since November. The youngster had won a regular place, but was thrown back from knee problems. He has now been operated on for the second time and will probably not be an issue for a long time.
With Pedri , Barca have another young star in their own ranks. The Spaniard is only 18 years old and made the most appearances of all professional footballers worldwide with an unbelievable 72 competitive games in the 2020/21 season. The last of these wasn't long ago. Pedri lost the Olympic final with Spain against Brazil with 1: 2. He also worked overtime: The decision was only made in the extension. So it can be assumed that Koeman will give him a vacation break after the eventful summer with EURO and Olympic tournaments.
Old hand Philippe Coutinho is left out. The 29-year-old is on the hit list. The offensive man is to be sold. Barca still have to stick with the savings to get rid of expensive contracts like the Brazilian one.
The duel with Real Sociedad awaits next Sunday at the start of the La Liga season. Demir has a good chance of making his competitive debut for his new club in the first round – at Camp Nou!
