Marc Guiu: Barcelona coach Xavi told teenager to ‘be ready’ before debut
Marc Guiu scored the winner 33 seconds into his senior debut to give Barcelona a 1-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao.
The 17-year-old Spanish forward came on for fellow youngster Fermin Lopez in the 79th minute and struck almost immediately.
It means he has scored his first league goal for Barcelona quicker than any other player in the club’s history.
Victory took third-placed Barca back within a point of leaders Real Madrid, who they face next Saturday.
Barcelona manager Xavi said: “I told him he would have one good chance. I love seeing the face of these kids. They have no fear.”
Earlier on Sunday, Girona won 5-2 at home to Almeria to go level with Real, who drew 1-1 at Sevilla on Saturday.
Guiu was added to Barca’s senior squad as coach Xavi has several players out through injury, including Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong.
A Joao Felix shot clipped the top of the crossbar from a Ferran Torres cut-back in the first half while Nico Williams had a shot saved by home goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Just before the hour mark, visiting keeper Unai Simon saved Felix’s low striker before denying Lopez from the rebound.
Then 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest scorer in La Liga history earlier this month, dragged a shot wide before fellow substitute Guiu slotted the ball past Simon after being played in by Felix.
Guiu joined Barcelona’s youth academy, more commonly known as La Masia, in 2013.
With Argentina superstar Lionel Messi its most famous product, La Masia’s other graduates include current Barca coach Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol, along with Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Cesc Fabregas left La Masia at 16 to join Arsenal, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is another notable member of La Masia alumni.
‘His parents were both in tears in the stands’
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague: Marc has been in La Masia for 10 years and is known as a striker who is more efficient in the box. He doesn’t link up greatly but he has something; he finishes very well.
He has only played seven minutes for the B team. He normally plays for the under-18s. Since he scored, he has gone from 40,000 followers on Instagram to 100,000 plus.
His parents were both in the stands and cried as soon as the goal went in.
This was quite a night for Barcelona’s youth – the team finished the game with two players who cannot go home with their own car, because they aren’t old enough for a driving licence.
And in addition, they also had Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Alejandro Balde, who have progressed through the youth set-up. Interestingly enough, all these youngsters belong to different generations; they didn’t play in the same youth teams.
When these players come through, it is often by accident. The accident this time was a lack of options. Barcelona’s transfer activity has been restricted by financial issues – they have only been able to sign Oriol Romeu, plus two players on loan, plus Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer. And this weekend, they had six players out injured. This has opened the door for young players.
If he could, Xavi would have more mature players. But it is good news for Barcelona that young talent is replacing some of the more expensive stars of the past.
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
1ter Stegen2Cancelo15Christensen5Martínez3Balde6Gavi18Romeu22Gündogan7F Torres14João Félix32López
- 1ter Stegen
- 2Cancelo
- 15ChristensenSubstituted forAraujoat 60’minutes
- 5Martínez
- 3BaldeSubstituted forAlonsoat 79’minutes
- 6GaviBooked at 16mins
- 18RomeuBooked at 41minsSubstituted forYamalat 60’minutes
- 22Gündogan
- 7F Torres
- 14João Félix
- 32LópezSubstituted forGuiuat 79’minutesBooked at 83mins
Substitutes
- 4Araujo
- 13Peña Sotorres
- 17Alonso
- 26Astralaga
- 27Yamal
- 35Hernández
- 38Guiu
- 39Fort
Ath Bilbao
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Simón18De Marcos3Vivian4Paredes17Berchiche14García Carrillo16Ruíz de Galarreta9Williams8Sancet11Nico Williams12Guruzeta
- 1Simón
- 18De MarcosBooked at 89mins
- 3Vivian
- 4Paredes
- 17BerchicheSubstituted forLekueat 26’minutes
- 14García CarrilloBooked at 37minsSubstituted forGómezat 77’minutes
- 16Ruíz de GalarretaSubstituted forPradosat 67’minutes
- 9Williams
- 8Sancet
- 11Nico WilliamsSubstituted forBerenguerat 76’minutes
- 12GuruzetaSubstituted forAres Djalóat 67’minutesBooked at 73mins
Substitutes
- 7Berenguer
- 10Muniain
- 13Agirrezabala
- 15Lekue
- 19García de Albéniz
- 20Villalibre
- 21Herrera
- 22García
- 23Nolaskoain
- 24Prados
- 29Ares Djaló
- 30Gómez
Referee:Juan Martínez MunueraAttendance:38,194
Match Stats
Home TeamBarcelonaAway TeamAth BilbaoPossessionHome62%Away38%ShotsHome12Away10Shots on TargetHome7Away3CornersHome4Away7FoulsHome11Away18
Live Text
Post update
Match ends, Barcelona 1, Athletic Club 0.
- 90’+4′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barcelona 1, Athletic Club 0.
- 90’+4′
Post update
Gavi (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 90’+4′
Post update
Foul by Beñat Prados (Athletic Club).
- 90’+3′
Post update
Hand ball by Alex Berenguer (Athletic Club).
- 90’+3′
Post update
Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Marcos Alonso with a cross.
- 90’+1′
Post update
Foul by João Félix (Barcelona).
- 90’+1′
Post update
Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90′
Post update
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Unai Simón.
- 90′
Post update
Attempt saved. João Félix (Barcelona) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Lamine Yamal with a cross.
- 89′
Booking
Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 89′
Post update
João Félix (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 89′
Post update
Foul by Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club).
- 86′
Post update
Marc Guiu (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 86′
Post update
Foul by Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club).
- 84′
Post update
Foul by Marcos Alonso (Barcelona).
- 84′
Post update
Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 84′
Post update
Foul by João Félix (Barcelona).
- 84′
Post update
Beñat Prados (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 83′
Booking
Marc Guiu (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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