Barcelona starlet trains with first team amid struggles for minutes with reserves | OneFootball

Barcelona took to the pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday for their usual recovery training sessions after a successful evening on Tuesday against SL Benfica.

The Blaugrana had a splendid outing last evening as they beat the Portuguese giants 3-1 to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Noah Darvich called up to train

As reported by SPORT, Barcelona starlet Noah Darvich was called up to train with Barcelona’s first team again on Wednesday by manager Hansi Flick.

The publication states that it is becoming routine to see Darvich involved in first-team training under Flick, usually before or after matches when additional players are needed due to recovery sessions for the regular starters.

The German coach personally observes his compatriot – a player with undeniable technical ability and great potential – at least once a week.

However, the 18-year-old finds himself in a paradox considering that he gets called up to train with the senior setup but has hardly been playing regularly for Barça Atletic in his second year at the club.

Struggling for prominence with Barcelona Atletic

Noah Darvich struggling to get minutes for Barça Atletic. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images for DFB)

Indeed Darvich’s playing time with the reserve team remains limited, and the recent change in coaching staff has not improved his situation.

Since Sergi Mila took charge of Barça Atletic, Darvich has been on the bench for both matches. He did not play at all in the first game against Gimnastic and came on in the 68th minute during last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Osasuna B.

In all, Darvich has 18 appearances for Barça Atletic so far in 2024/25, starting only eight of those, and registering two assists.

What makes the situation even more intriguing is that despite not being a regular starter for Barça Atletic, Darvich remains a key player for Germany’s U-19 side and will once again be called up for the upcoming international break.

What seems to be clear is that Flick does see plenty of potential in the 18-year-old and he must keep working to achieve his breakthrough with the reserves under new coach Mila.