The 20-year-old midfielder played this season in seven matches, and five of them have some after the restart.
Riqui Puig took advantage of this “New” phase in Spanish football
LaLiga’s return after the enforced break due to coronavirus was something other than just plain sailing for Barcelona. However, some won and took advantage of this “new” phase in Spanish football. One of these players is Riqui Puig, who gained fame as part of Barcelona’s first team and in the starting XI. The 20-year-old midfielder played this season in seven matches, and five of them have some after the restart. He got playing time against Leganes, Sevilla, Athletic Club, Celta Vigo, and Madrid Atletico, plus in the last two games, he made the Quique Setien’s starting side. Before this, Setien previously only nodded to Puig against Granada and Levante, but taking into account the mini-crisis in the middle of Barcelona’s midfield, the youngster has been called upon.
Puig debuted under the leadership of Valverde
Neither Sergio Busquets nor Frankie de Jong was available against Celta. And then Setien changed his system to 4-4-2 when Diego Simeone’s Atlético arrived at Camp Nou, which made room for Puig. Puig debuted in LaLiga under the leadership of Ernesto Valverde last season and is one of the most promising talents that came from La Masia in recent years. Setien’s arrival and his commitment to offensive, creative, and fast-paced football was considered positive for Puig and would have helped him become more famous. That was not to be, and opportunities were limited or never appeared at all. After the break, he was given the necessary minutes, and he will continue to receive them.
“He plays at a very high level,” Setien said. “We have all seen him. He showed determination in everything that we asked of him. Fans and a club should also be. They have a great football player here”. Against Atletico, Puig held his fifth game in the starting lineup of Barcelona. So he could have had many more opportunities to come.