New Busquets: Marc Bernal Data Analysis

Marc Bernal, an exceptional La Masia graduated talent 17 years old, made it to the starting eleven of Barcelona in the new season under Hansi Flick's management. His primary position is defensive midfield, as Barca lacked quality in this position after Sergio Busquets' departure, they couldn't find the right player for the team until Hansi Flick found Bernal and started to play him in the pre-season. With his amazing performance in the US tour, Flick decided to use him in the first team and he started all of three matches for Barca in La Liga mostly as a solo pivot with the partnership of Pedri and Casado. Bernal and Casado greatly harmonize with each other as they play together in the Barca B.

Some of Bernal's strengths that appear to be great through data are his defensive actions like tackles won and duels. As his height is 188 cm, he can also be a great asset in the air. His composure and long ball accuracy remind Barca fans of Sergio Busquets especially as it's hard to intercept the ball from him in matches or hard to dribble past him. Here we can see his actions in the last match:

Unfortunately in the last match against Rayo Vallecano, he tore his ACL in the last couple of minutes and will be out for 6 to 12 months, so it will be hard for Barca to find another player with Marc Bernal's profile, although Marc Casado and Frenkie De Jong can play as a double pivot too. We all wish Marc Bernal a speedy recovery and hope to come back stronger.