20-year-old Barcelona gem could be X-factor vs Racing Santander tonight — Opinion | OneFootball

Football has always been a collective sport often decided by individual moments. Even though there are 11 players on the pitch for each team, only one of them can be a goalscorer at any given point in time.

All top teams strive to have as many difference-makers as possible. Lamine Yamal, for example, is one such player who can decide a game in FC Barcelona’s favour with a single moment of magic.

Tonight, as Barcelona face Racing Santander in the Round of 16 Copa del Rey tie, the Spanish teenage sensation is expected to be rested. However, the squad is filled with players who can settle the match with a moment of brilliance.

We at Sempre Barca believe one player who could tilt the contest in Barcelona’s favour against Racing Santander is Roony Bardghji. The Swedish youngster has performed at a very high level for Hansi Flick’s side whenever given a chance.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Lamine’s presence has limited Bardghji’s minutes. However, the 20-year-old has repeatedly shown that he is no pushover and deserves more time on the pitch than he is currently getting.

Tonight, Roony is expected to start ahead of Lamine, with the latter having clocked a lot of minutes recently. He is a flair player capable of producing a moment of magic, and he could be the one to break open Racing Santander’s defence on the night.

One of the Swede’s biggest assets is his ability to read the game and link play. A trait often seen in wingers who come through La Masia, Roony understands when to play a pass, when to drop deep, and when to take on his man.

It is decision-making that cannot easily be taught. For example, Roony is already a much better reader of the game than Marcus Rashford, whose decisions often leave a lot to be desired. The latter is also expected to start tonight’s game.

Barcelona, as a whole, need to play well against Racing Santander, but the player whose abilities could be the difference between a comfortable win and a hard-fought one, in our view, is Roony Bardghji.

It remains to be seen how the Swede fares on the night and whether he can continue to give Hansi Flick more headaches in the weeks to follow.