It has been nearly two months since Barcelona midfield prodigy Marc Bernal made his comeback after more than a year out due to an ACL injury.
However, since then, the 18-year-old starlet has played only 32 minutes across five matches, with Barça head coach Hansi Flick taking a cautious approach with his recovery and reintegration.
Given the situation, Bernal was withdrawn from the Spain U-21 squad after being called up last month, while he was not considered for selection in the current international break.
Bernal set to represent Catalonia against Palestine in friendly
Now, though, according to Mundo Deportivo, Bernal has received approval from Barcelona to play for Catalonia in a friendly match against Palestine, scheduled for 18 November at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
The midfielder, who was not called up to the Spain U-21 squad, will use this opportunity to gain more match rhythm, something that the intensity of fixtures with the first team has not allowed him to do consistently.
Marc Bernal of FC Barcelona
Bernal set to play for Catalonia national team. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Blaugrana and the Catalonia NT coach, Gerard Lopez, have already discussed Bernal’s call-up and the number of minutes he should play in the match against Palestine.
Cautious approach
As mentioned earlier, Barcelona have been cautious and careful with Bernal’s reintegration, easing him back after more than a year out.
The teenage La Masia gem made his comeback against Valencia on September 14, playing nine minutes.
Following that, the 18-year-old played one minute against Real Oviedo, 11 against PSG, and ten against Olympiacos. Then, after several matches on the bench, he featured for a minute against Celta Vigo this past Sunday.
The plan is for Bernal to gain more minutes after the international break, with the target being to have him fully match-fit and ready for the second half of the season.