Marc Giou, Barcelona’s new prodigy

Xavi’s coaching philosophy, as well as Barcelona’s return to the top of Europe, appears to rely heavily on the Blaugrana’s famous academy. “La Masia”. The Spanish coach did not hesitate this year to highlight the team’s next big player, Lamine Yamal, with the little one getting his justification as he is the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history and the youngest footballer to play for Barcelona Association. .

His trust XaviBut it doesn’t end there, as Pedri and Gavi are Barcelona’s most important central duo in the Spanish coach’s future plans, as the former has been struggling with injury since the start of the season and his last appearance came on August 20 against Cádiz on matchday two of the LaLiga.

The last ace up the Barcelona coach’s sleeve is in the name Mark Gioa 17-year-old striker from the U19 team who made history on his debut for the Barcelona club and – just 33 seconds after entering the field – gave Barcelona a 1-0 win against Athletic.

Three points took his side to 3rd place in the Spanish league, one point ahead of Real Madrid and the great Girona, who are at the top. A golden result for him El Clasico next Saturday (October 28th, 5:15 p.m.).

Xavi’s advice and Guyu’s gaming profile

“I told him he had a chance. I love seeing these children’s faces. They are not afraid“, said Xavi after the end of the game, in which the 17-year-old “took advantage of the opportunity” given to him by his coach and made the most of the space created for his mission Barcelona after the injury-related absences of Lewandowski and De Jong.

He comes from Catalonia and from the city in particular Granollerswhich is 30km north of Barcelona, ​​where the 17-year-old came onto Xavi’s radar after his impressive performance at Euro K17, where Spain were crowned European champions and joint top scorer alongside teammate Lamin Yamal.

With 3 goals in 9 appearances in the UEFA Youth League with Barcelona U19 and just 8 minutes in the jersey of Barcelona’s second team Barcelona Athletic in the third national league, the 17-year-old was looking for his chance, which came on Sunday evening (22/10). Now he is fifth-youngest goalscorer in first team historybehind only Yamal, Ansu Fati, Gavi and Bojan Krkic.

THE Mark Gio He is not the classic type of striker that “La Masia” produces, as he is not small, he sees the world from 1.80, while he is also not the typical playmaker striker, the so-called false nine, that the Barcelona academy produces. On the contrary, he is the quintessential No. 9, the striker who knows how to take good positions in the opponent’s area, has frequent contact with the net and is a very good header.

Even if he does not stand out for his combination game, he is known for his ability to exploit the empty spaces, his basic qualities being his speed, his fighting spirit and his inexhaustible desire to put the opponent under pressure through problems in the circulation of the ball.