Xavi calls up two Barcelona young prospects for Granada clash: What can they offer?

Robert Lewandowski was the latest to join Barcelona’s list of injured stars as he left the field limping against Porto.

Tests conducted soon after revealed a poor prognosis for the Polish striker. The club announced that Lewandowski had suffered an ankle sprain and rumour has it that he could even miss El Clasico as a result.

With no direct replacements for the veteran, Xavi Hernandez has turned to the evergreen La Masia for solutions for the upcoming game against Granada. The subsidiary teams have not disappointed and have provided the manager with two potential alternatives.

Indeed, Marc Guiu and Pau Victor have been called up to the squad travelling to Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes and will be available at the manager’s disposal.

Pau Victor, the new Ferran Jutgla?

SPORT elaborated on Xavi’d new options and called Pau Victor possibly the team’s new Ferran Jutga.

After all, the youngster has many similarities with the Spanish star who delivered under pressure for Barcelona in the 2020-21 season.

Like the Club Brugge star, Victor is not one who spent his younger years at Barcelona’s La Masia. He spent his initial years at Girona moved to Sabadell on loan and impressed with 14 goal contributions before being picked up on loan by Barça Atletic in August 2023.

As a player from a separate academy, Victor is not known for his link-up play and comfort on the ball. However, there is no question about his effectiveness in front of the goal while he offers versatility as he can play on the left flank.

The striker has already scored four goals for Rafa Marquez’s side this season and is currently the top scorer for Barça Atletic.

Marc Guiu, the homegrown boy

As for Marc Guiu, the 17-year-old is a talented homegrown talent who has risen through the La Masia ranks.

The Juvenil A striker has enjoyed a fabulous start to the 2023/24 campaign and even scored the opening goal for the youth team against Porto’s subsidiary side earlier this week in the UEFA Youth League.

Guiu is strong on the ball, has a dominant aerial presence, and has a solid shot with both feet. He may not be a gifted player in terms of the build-up and is not necessarily known to drop down or drift wide to link up play.

But as with Victor, Guiu is also a gem in the box, with his 1.90m frame making him a particular threat in the air.