FC Barcelona will be finishing their 2022-23 season today with the friendly match against Vissel Kobe in Japan. In addition to providing a glimpse of FC Barcelona to fans in Japan, the match will also serve as the farewell match for Andres Iniesta, as he looks to leave Vissel Kobe this summer.
The lineup that Xavi has gone with for this match includes three youngsters who will make their FC Barcelona debut in this match. These debutants are Pau Prim, Dani Rodriguez, and Julian Araujo.
Pau Prim
The 17-year-old defensive midfielder has developed through the ranks at FC Barcelona, and was incorporated into the U18 team the last year. He is considered to be one of the most promising youngsters in Spain, and made his UEFA Youth League debut this year against Viktoria Plzen.
Xavi wants to help the youngster take the next step in his career, and has given him the opportunity to play with the first team in this friendly match.
Dani Rodriguez
Dani Rodriguez is another 17-year-old product from La Masia who will be making his first team debut in the friendly match against Vissel Kobe. Playing on the right wing, the player was promoted to the U19 side the last year, and is liked by the club’s coaches primarily for his pace, technique, and ball control.
This friendly in Japan will also be his chance to impress the coaches further with his performance with the first team.
Julian Araujo
Julian Araujo was bought from LA Galaxy in the last winter transfer window with the aim to play some role in the first team. However, he was unable to get registered with the first team, as his transfer was finalized only seconds after the transfer window had been closed.
Now, with the official season over, Xavi has given him an opportunity to play with the first team in the Vissel Kobe friendly. His performance in this match would determine to some extent whether the club can consider him to be a candidate for the right-back position in the first team going forward.
Thus, in addition to gaining revenue from their tour of Japan and helping Iniesta bid his farewell to Vissel Kobe in memorable fashion, this friendly will also be an opportunity for these youngsters to showcase their talent with the first team, and hopefully convince the coaches about their potential and quality.
