Hansi Flick should really start €10m-rated Barcelona youngster against Racing — Opinion | OneFootball

FC Barcelona prepare to face La Liga 2 leaders Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey, as they look to keep their hopes alive in the competition. The Catalan club is fresh off securing the Spanish Super Cup, beating Real Madrid to the title.

This will undoubtedly provide much-needed momentum to Hansi Flick’s side for the rest of the 2025/26 season, and there is a general feeling of the team peaking at the right time and putting in quality performances.

Tonight, Hansi Flick will be keen to rotate his starting XI for good reason and allow some fringe Barcelona players to impress. It will also give him the chance to rest the likes of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who have seen a lot of minutes recently.

We at Sempre Barca believe Hansi Flick should really start Marc Bernal against Racing Santander. With Frenkie de Jong suspended following his red card in the Spanish Super Cup final, the €10m-rated Spaniard could emerge as the pivot replacement.

Flick has been very careful in managing Bernal’s minutes as the teenager looks to get back to full fitness after an ACL injury. However, it has been a few months now, and it is about time we saw the La Masia graduate get more minutes and build back match sharpness.

Bernal oozes quality on the ball whenever he plays as a defensive midfielder, and the Copa del Rey game against Racing Santander is a glorious opportunity to give him a chance in that position. If he is able to have a good game, it would do the world of good for his confidence.

In most big games, displacing the pivot of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong is close to impossible, and the duo seems to be at the top of their game at the moment. However, Bernal has a chance to put his hand up as the first-choice back-up for either of them, with Gavi injured and Casado struggling.

There have been talks of a loan move for Bernal for the rest of the season to help him get regular minutes. Whether something comes of it or not, Flick needs to prioritise his development for as long as he is at the club.

Starting Bernal in midfield alongside Pedri would be a smart route to take for tonight’s game. Alternatively, Marc Casado could also get the nod if the Canary Islands midfielder is rested.

If Bernal is given a chance to start tonight for Barcelona, as we believe he should, let us hope he can take that opportunity and show Hansi Flick why he deserves more regular minutes in the second half of the season.