Riqui Puig is counting on a Barcelona playing chance against Real Mallorca.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez has various other absences so the midfielder could get a start.
Sergio Busquets and Gavi are out suspended, Sergi Roberto and Pedri are injured and Philippe Coutinho does not have the trust of the coach. Frenkie De Jong, Nico and Puig look like the most likely midfield trio. It will be Riqui’s 50th Barcelona game.
He is a player Ronald Koeman did not like. He told him to go on loan and after the player stayed, the coach gave him few chances. He just had 581 minutes last season and four starts. This year it’s much of the same. Four league appearances, all off the bench, with 72 mins played in total.
The story is the same under Xavi although he has had a bit more action. Three sub appearances in six league games, for a total of 80 minutes. 54 of those were against Real Betis when Gavi went off. In the Champions League he had 17 minutes against Bayern when everything had already been settled.
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