Now or never for Pablo Torre as Barcelona head to Viktoria Plzen

Now or never for Pablo Torre as Barcelona head to Viktoria Plzen

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The midfielder should make his first start for the club in the Champions League dead rubber

Barcelona fans have always wanted to witness Pablo Torre's quality in person, but the Cantabrian has been used in drips. Only 30 minutes spread over three games: 9' against Viktoria Plzen, 12' against Athletic and 8' in the visit of Bayern, all of them at Camp Nou. Too little for a growing footballer who needs minutes.

There are no excuses this week. Pablo Torre is the only outfield player in the first team who has not yet been a starter and the visit to Plzen to bid farewell to the Champions League in a completely inconsequential game is the ideal setting to view in action. And if it can be, in starting XI. It is true that the center of the field is very crowded, it is where there have been fewer casualties due to injury and Xavi also has to 'balance' his side with more established footballers.

Xavi's balancing act

Gavi, the new owner of the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy, has not started in the last two games (he suffered a blow from Dani García against Athletic and was on the bench vs. Bayern and Valencia) and everything indicates that he will be return against Viktoria on Tuesday. Franck Kessié is another player who needs minutes, although now he is playing more than before and Xavi started him Bayern after he came on for an hour vs. Athletic when Gavi got injured.

But, in addition to Sergio Busquets' forced absence due to suspension, the match in the Czech Republic is a chance to give rest to players with more minutes played this season such as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, which would open the doors to Pablo Torre.

World Cup plans

In addition to these 'little moments' with the first team, Pablo Torre has also played an entire game with the B team. It was in the 2-0 victory against Real Murcia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, coinciding with the break. He will once again reinforce Rafa Márquez's squad during the World Cup, since he only goes to Barça Atlètic when the first team does not have an official game.

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