After making a 54-minute appearance for Barcelona in their 0-1 La Liga defeat to Real Betis on Saturday, La Masia graduate Riqui Puig told Diario Sport that he "feels like a player again."
The teenage midfielder was left out of Barcelona's starting eleven once again, but came on after Gavi was forced out with a head injury in the first half. Puig's second appearance in six games under new coach Xavi Hernandez, but the La Masia graduate seems content with his engagement at his boyhood club.
Puig only made 14 appearances for Barcelona last season, but he has already made eight this season. Despite the disheartening loss at the Camp Nou, the Barcelona midfielder was upbeat, stating that he is glad to be playing: "Players want to play, I'm getting minutes, and I'm thrilled." I'm feeling like a footballer again, and if the results go our way, we'll be able to challenge for the league and qualify for the Champions League on Wednesday."
"In the second half, we had very clear chances to score," he said of Barcelona's unlucky performance. We have a sour taste in our mouths, but we must continue to play and work hard. The goal will come, but we were unlucky today. "We have three days to recover and go to Munich with everything we have to win." We all feel it's the end, and we're all in it together."
Riqui Puig will be hoping to have attracted his manager's notice and play for Barcelona against Bayern Munich in a key midweek match. Gavi, on the other hand, may be able to return to the squad for the trip to Allianz Arena. Following his head injury during the Betis match, the 17-year-old was released from the hospital.
"He has incredible talent," Xavi says of Riqui Puig, a Barcelona teenager.
Riqui Puig has been instructed what he needs to do to enhance his game by Barcelona's manager. During the summer transfer window, the 22-year-old was linked with a move away from Camp Nou, but Xavi has decided to give him another shot with the first team. Xavi explained: "He's a member of the squad, and we rely on him." We have a variety of competitions, so everyone will have a chance. He has a tremendous ability to attack centrally, to arrive in the area, and to make the final pass that we require. He have natural ability and must be just as vital to the team as Gavi and Nico. He must venture, he must arrive in the place, but he must proceed from there."
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