In-form Barcelona midfielder gets Spain U-21 call-up – Report | OneFootball

In recent weeks, FC Barcelona have had to deal with injuries to Pedri and subsequently Frenkie de Jong. The duo are the heartbeat around which Hansi Flick builds his team and everyone feared the worst when those injuries happened.

However, one reason why the pinch hasn’t been felt has been the emergence and the incredible form of Marc Bernal. After being eased into the setup following a recovery from a serious ACL injury, Bernal has now reached a very good level.

After continuing to grow into an increasingly important midfield figure, the teenager is back in Spain’s Under-21 squad and has another chance to turn recognition into something more concrete. According to Mundo Deportivo, Bernal has been included by David Gordo for Spain Under-21’s upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Kosovo.

The two matches are part of the road to next year’s tournament in Albania and Serbia, and Barca’s young midfielder is back in the picture for this March break. This is not his first involvement with the age group, but it does carry a different feeling. The report notes that Bernal had already been called up in October, only to miss out in the end because of injury. He was then absent from the November list, even after recovering.

That is why this latest inclusion matters. It suggests that Spain still see him as a serious option, and for Barcelona fans that should come as no surprise. Bernal’s profile fits exactly what top-level coaches value in midfield, calm on the ball, tactically aware, and mature beyond his age.

Such have been Bernal’s performances in a short period of time since February that it wouldn’t have come as a surprise had Luis de la Fuente called him up to the senior squad. However, his time there might not be far off.

For now, the Spanish teenager has an opportunity to go to U-21 duty with La Roja and let’s hope he can make a great impression.