18-year-old Barcelona midfield gem emerges as a reliable option for Hansi Flick in season run-in – Report | OneFootball

Right from the very beginning of his tenure at FC Barcelona, Hansi Flick was not hesitant in giving opportunities to youngsters from La Masia. One player in whom he placed exceptional confidence was the midfielder Marc Bernal, who became a regular starter for the German coach until he suffered an unfortunate injury that kept him out for around 13 months.

He returned from this injury in the 6-0 win over Valencia on September 14th, and as Mundo Deportivo has noted, has been enjoying a very bountiful period since that game. In that very match, he gave an assist to Robert Lewandowski, and has also made some other decisive contributions in the last few games.

Bernal’s latest standout performance came against Levante, where he operated in a double pivot alongside Frenkie de Jong. Calm in possession and intelligent in his positioning, the 18-year-old dictated tempo, recycled the ball flawlessly, and even arrived in the box to score once again, continuing a run that also included a recent goal against Mallorca.

His physical presence, vision, and ability to cover ground make him a strong candidate to eventually operate as a single pivot in a more traditional 4 -3-3 system with players such as Pedri offering support ahead of him.

Those qualities have naturally drawn comparisons with Sergio Busquets, a player Bernal openly admires and considers a reference while remaining determined to forge his own identity.

Beyond his positional discipline, Bernal brings an added dimension that sets him apart. Unlike Busquets, he carries a genuine goal threat developed during his formative years as an attacking midfielder. His late runs, powerful left foot, and comfort in advanced areas give Flick an extra tactical option at a crucial stage of the campaign.

As Barcelona navigate the business end of the season, Marc Bernal has emerged as a reliable and timely solution in midfield. His availability, form, and maturity belie his age and underline why Flick’s early confidence in him now looks increasingly justified.