Midfielders and Debut Expectations
This season Barcelona's midfielder setup was simple.
It consisted of three main starters: Yelena, the Colombian defensive midfielder who had joined from Newcastle the previous season. Not from La Masia, but she had solid ball recovery and excelled at short passes, scoring a typical 14 goals in the league last season as a classic hexagonal midfielder. Then there was Lorenzo, the Italian player from La Masia who delivered creative passes with ease and had even scored 20 goals in a career-high season, showing attacking talent that let him play as an attacking midfielder for the national team. And finally Lucia, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner and living legend.
Based on those top-tier league starters, three promising young players were also in the mix: Joakina, a 21-year-old typical Spanish midfielder; Wasila, also 21 and from La Masia, strong in speed and agility; and Hamara, 20 years old and versatile enough to play as a defensive midfielder, centerback, or right fullback.
So Barcelona operated on a straightforward system of three starters and three candidates. With players like Eloya and Amira who could also fill midfield spots, it looked like there was no room for Valentina at first glance.
That's why I was genuinely surprised when I heard Valentina had been called up. I figured that to strengthen the midfield, Camila would be the better choice physically. It was a bit unfair to Valentina, but excluding raw physical ability, Camila's footballing talent was clearly superior.
But the moment I watched Valentina training, I immediately understood why the coach had called her up.
'What? She's training with the defenders?'
Valentina had been called up as a centerback, not a midfielder. Of course, it made sense because Amira was injured and only Tiana, Tena, and Hamara were available as starters at centerback. But honestly, looking at it long-term, it wasn't the best decision.
Considering her physical abilities and the defensive prowess she showed in the U-17 World Cup final, she could probably handle the centerback position well. But the centerback role was one where experience mattered most, and if her talents were fully unleashed, she would likely show even more destructive power in the midfield.
'It's fine to just play a few games as a substitute, but I didn't think she was seriously thinking of changing positions?'
“Ryu! I know you're happy because your friend came over, but you need to focus on training!”
“Ah! I'm sorry.”
That warning from the coach snapped me out of my thoughts the second I wasn't paying attention.
'...That coach has eyes like a hawk. Well, with coaches like this, they obviously know Valentina's potential, so I don't need to worry too much.'
It felt a bit odd to say it out loud, but my generation had been nearly undefeated since the Pre-Benjamin days and was called the golden generation internally. And Valentina was part of that core.
So the coaches had to know her potential well enough. No need for excessive worry.
Then the only thing left was to congratulate her.
'Um... probably against Juventus, so she'll come on as a candidate? With her good physical, she should debut soon.'
Of course, that didn't mean her debut was guaranteed. She could warm the bench and return to the second team.
Currently our group sat at 4 wins for 12 points in first place, while Juventus was second with 3 wins, 1 loss, and 9 points. We had beaten them 1-0 at home to take first, but if we lost by two or more goals this time, the standings could flip.
So unless Tiana or Tena was really struggling and needed rest, it seemed difficult for unproven Valentina to step onto the first-team pitch.
Well, if I worked hard enough, maybe she could debut, but...
'I have to help her get on the pitch. Anyway, Tiana took good care of her friend. Later I owe her a meal.'
“Ryu!”
“...Yes!”
With that resolve, I trained with full focus, determined to help Valentina debut with my own hands—or rather, my feet. Of course, most of the session was recovery work since there wasn't much time left until the Juventus match.
And time passed,
“Tina, trust me. I'll take care of everything.”
“...What are you talking about? By the way, Turin is rare. How many years? Since the Alevin days, I think this is the first time.”
We had arrived in Turin, Juventus' hometown.
“Those brats. I know you're excited, but don't go out much. Well, Valentina doesn't mind, but there might be hooligans who investigate and sabotage for Ryu.”
“Lucia, I'm taller than you, Lucia. I'm not a brat!”
“Anyway, friends react the same. You guys are such brats.”
“Lucia doesn't say that. I don't plan to go out.”
Captain Lucia had been worried that the young ones would get hurt while sightseeing during the downtime, so the moment we arrived she warned us.
“Of course. When I debuted, the Juve fans would come to the stadium with weapons. Wow, that was terrifying.”
With a chilling remark.
I wasn't surprised; I had known it from my past life too. Every few years articles would pop up about fans bringing weapons to the stadium and getting caught. But those fans were rare, and most were just normal supporters.
Probably the ultras who brought weapons were just there to show off that we were going wild, not to actually swing them. I hadn't seen anyone do it or read about it.
So Lucia's words were probably just to scare the youngest. But unlike me, Valentina's expression stayed stern.
“Ha-neul. Next time you go out, call me.”
“No time to go out. Tomorrow's the match. And Lucia was just scaring you. You know that too. Didn't you hear from Mom? Mom played in Serie A.”
“So that's what you're saying. I heard from Mom too.”
Valentina's mother had played in the 80s and 90s when Serie A was at its peak. Stronger fans back then, but things were different now.
'Anyway, she's really grown up.'
But if I voiced that, Valentina would definitely get angry, so I just nodded and said I understood.
“Do you know about today's light tactical training for match prep? Stop the lovers' quarrel and come out after unpacking your bags.”
“It's not a lovers' quarrel!”
“......”
After hearing my answer without reacting, Lucia dragged her suitcase into the hotel.
“What, Tiana? Why no protest?”
“...... No point in responding. But why are you angry? Do you like me?”
“I said I'm crazy? Seriously. Unbelievable. Stop unnecessary talk and go unpack your bags.”
“...Yeah, yeah. Since I don't care, if you like me, wake up from the dream.”
...What? Is this the first confession?
In an instant, after not confessing with one word and seeing Valentina walk ahead alone, I thought maybe I could play a bit in tomorrow's match, but Juventus wasn't the kind of team that would lose with such casual thinking, so I quickly erased the idea.
'Sigh, I'm worried who she'll end up with. With that personality, no boyfriend with that face. ...Tsk, when I was young I should have fixed her personality.'
Feeling a bit of guilt as an adult for not correcting young Valentina's personality, I followed her into the hotel.
*
The two teams' confrontation at Camp Nou ended with Barcelona winning 1-0, so the points difference between them is 3 points? Juventus have 3 wins and 1 loss for 9 points, while Barcelona have 4 wins for 12 points. But if Juventus beat Barcelona by two or more goals in this match, Juventus would take first place in the D group.
Yes. Of course we have to look at the sixth match too, but in the football fan community this match is seen as the decisive one for determining the D group ranking.
Yes. Juventus still have matches against Olympiacos and Barcelona against Sporting, but given the strength of the sides, it seems difficult for the other two teams to even get a draw against these two, so this match looks like the decisive game for the D group standings.
Then Juventus's lineup... Now let's bring out Barcelona's lineup. Goalkeeper: Maximilena. Left fullback: Narcis, Tena, Tiana, Hamara forming the backline. In midfield: Albari a, Lucia, Yelena, Abudasha. Up front: Lautina and Ryu as the two forwards.
This season Barcelona had used the 4-3-3 formation with a defensive midfielder a lot, but since it's an away game it seems they are going with a more defensive 4-4-2. We'll know once the match starts, but probably Ryu will take the deep striker role and act as the link between the midfield and attack.
Then what do you think are the key points to watch?
Tena player's body condition is a concern because of the national team call-up and playing consecutive matches. Actually, in the last league match against Valencia, Tena player showed a heavy body. And how much Yelena player, paired with Lucia who has less activity than usual, will support her is also a question.
Understood.
Adding to that, Ryu player who debuted in the first team after the Olympiacos match and showed fantastic performances in three matches, is expected to show his form against a strong team like Juventus as well.
Yes. Then the match starts with Juventus's kickoff.