Barcelona Wonderkid Marc Bernal to Miss Vissel Kobe Friendly Due to Fitness Concerns

 

Early Setback for Barcelona as Marc Bernal Ruled Out of Pre-Season Clash vs Vissel Kobe

As FC Barcelona's 2025 pre-season tour kicks off in Japan, the team has encountered its first setback. Promising young midfielder Marc Bernal has been ruled out of the upcoming friendly match against Vissel Kobe, due to concerns over his fitness.

The Catalan side arrived in Kobe, Japan, early Saturday morning after facing travel disruptions linked to organizational issues with the match promoters. Despite the turbulence, the team resumed training in preparation for the friendly scheduled for Sunday — their first official match of the Asia tour, which will later take them to South Korea.

---

🛑 Why Marc Bernal Won’t Play Against Vissel Kobe

While Hansi Flick has selected a 30-man squad for this pre-season trip, Marc Bernal will not be part of the matchday squad for the Vissel Kobe clash. According to reports from RAC1, the 18-year-old La Masia graduate is still in the final stages of recovery from a long-term ACL injury that kept him sidelined for nearly a year.

Although Bernal has recently returned to training, Barcelona’s medical team and coaching staff are taking a cautious approach, opting not to rush his return. Flick is expected to reintroduce him gradually into competitive action in upcoming matches once he reaches full match fitness.

---

🔙 A Flashback to Bernal’s Breakout Moment

Marc Bernal was one of the standout performers during Barcelona’s 2024 pre-season campaign, quickly rising to become a starter in the opening games of last season. His composure, tactical intelligence, and ability to control the midfield made him one of the most talked-about young talents from La Masia.

Unfortunately, his breakthrough was cut short due to the ACL injury, which kept him away from action for the majority of the 2024/25 season.

---

🧠 Intense Competition in Midfield Awaits His Return

Once Bernal returns to full fitness, he’ll have to compete for a spot in an already stacked midfield featuring Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Marc Casado — all of whom are in top form and part of Hansi Flick’s core setup.

However, given Bernal’s potential and previous performances, fans are optimistic that he’ll reclaim his spot in Barcelona’s midfield rotation during the 2025/26 season.

---

📌 Final Thoughts: A Strategic Move by Barcelona

Although fans were eager to see Marc Bernal back in action, the decision to rest him shows a strategic and cautious approach by Barcelona’s coaching team. With a long season ahead, the club is clearly focused on preserving long-term fitness rather than taking short-term risks.

As Barcelona faces Vissel Kobe in their opening pre-season 2025 friendly, the focus shifts to evaluating new tactical ideas, squad depth, and player form — while young talents like Bernal prepare for a strong comeback later in the tour.

---

🔍 Related Keywords (LSI):

• Barcelona pre-season injuries 2025

• Marc Bernal latest news

• Barcelona youth academy 2025

• ACL injury recovery time football

• Hansi Flick squad rotation Barcelona

---

📅 Published on: July 27, 2025
✍️ Written by: Zamal Uddin
🌐 Source: usapost04.blogspot.com

---