FC Barcelona teenager Orian Goren trained with Hansi Flick’s first-team squad on Friday as the club prepared for Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. SPORT reported that the 17-year-old midfielder is a strong candidate to make his official matchday debut following injuries in the central midfield.
Training with Flick and the Pedri Comparison
Goren, born in 2009 with 17-year-old status newly reached, stepped up to senior training alongside fellow prospects Ebrima Tunkara and Àlex Campos. Formadores and coaches inside La Masía view the teenager as a natural talent whose movement and style draw comparisons to Pedri. Within the youth ranks under manager Juliano Belletti, Goren has locked down an untouchable role, starting every available fixture apart from two matches missed during international duty.
The Midfield Crisis Creating an Opening
Dani Olmo’s absence from the midfield department forced Flick to look toward the youth academy for reinforcements. Having already earned Flick’s trust during pre-season—where he logged the heaviest minutes among youth players and featured in the Trofeo Joan Gamper—Goren has positioned himself for an immediate step up. SPORT reported that club plans involve Goren returning to Saturday training ahead of Sunday’s fixture, putting him on track for his first competitive senior squad inclusion in La Liga or any official tournament.
Defensive Uncertainty Surrounding Campos
While Goren targets a midfield spot, defender Àlex Campos’s involvement remains tied to Jules Kounde’s late fitness test. Campos previously traveled with the first team for a UEFA Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. If Kounde fails to pass his assessment, Campos will rejoin the senior squad, leaving Belletti to reshuffle his central defensive pairing with Gariba alongside Mayans or Juwensley Onstein for Sunday’s match against CE Olot.
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