That’s it for first team games for FC Barcelona in 2023. After the win against Almería, the blaugranes travelled to Dallas for a friendly against Club América. A very open game ended 2-3 in the Mexican side’s favour that saw Xavi Hernández give debuts to another five players.
The blaugrana coach had already given debuts to 15 players in competitive games, and although this was a friendly, the latest players to debut will no doubt have their eye on featuring in a competitive game. Let’s take a look at those who got minutes at the Cotton Bowl:
– Ander Astralaga: a regular in first team squads, the Basque goalkeeper started and played 62 minutes. Despite conceding two goals that he couldn’t do much about, he made a great save with his feet in a one-on-one with the Argentinian Leo Suárez.
– Diego Kochen: the other keeper to make his debut. Born in Miami, he came on for Astralaga with half an hour to go to debut in his country of birth. He didn’t have much to do apart from deflecting the odd long shot, but he showed good footwork and couldn’t do anything about the Mexican side’s last goal.
– Pau Cubarsí: the youngest of all those making their debut. Aged only 16 years old, and after being called up to the first team squad on several occasions, he played 72 minutes, showing his great reading of the game and ball-carrying ability. Likely to be the first of many games.
– Gerard Martín: a summer signing from UE Cornellà, the 21-year-old left back and starter for Rafa Márquez in the Barça Atlètic side earned his place in the first team, starting and playing 72 minutes before being replaced by Cancelo.
– Mamadou Mbacke Fall: the final player to debut. The Senegal central defender came on for Cubarsí after 72 minutes. Another summer signing, on loan from Los Angeles FC, he is now a permanent fixture at the heart of the Barça Atlètic after missing the first few match days during to an administrative issue. He made his debut in LaLiga with Villarreal in January last season before moving to the United States of America, where he remained for three months before arriving at Can Barça.
