Returning from the 2023 U-17 World Cup, Marc Guiu Immediately Entered the Barcelona Squad in the Champions League

Spain U-17 forward Marc Guiu while appearing at the 2023 Indonesia U-17 World Cup Guiu was called to strengthen Barcelona in the Champions League. (Doctor LOC WCU17/RKY)

JAKARTA - Spanish U-17 player, Marc Guiu, immediately received a call from Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez. He was included in the Barca squad to face hosts Royal Antwerp in the final match of Group H of the 2023/2024 Champions League, Thursday, December 14, 2023, early morning of Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Guiu recently left Indonesia. Spain U-17 was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. They narrowly lost 0-1 against Germany U-17 who then emerged as champions.

While in Indonesia, Guiu was one of the players who felt comfortable and impressed with local supporters.

How could it not be, his name is always called or greeted by local supporters. This made the 17-year-old forward both happy and surprised.

"Spain is very far from Indonesia, but it turns out they know and appreciate me. Fans in Indonesia come to me to ask for photos and autographs," said Guiu.

"I was surprised when I saw fans here buying my jersey. I really appreciate it," he said.

Eliminated in the quarter-finals meant that Guiu and his colleagues returned to Spain early. However, Guiu and other Barca players couldn't stay on holiday for long. They went straight back to the club. Xavi has also summoned former Spanish U-17 players to compete in the Champions League.

Barca have actually qualified and are currently at the top of Group H with 12 points. Because they have confirmed they will advance to the last 16, Xavi plans to rotate players.

He also gave the players from the La Masia Academy the opportunity, some of whom had just played for La Rojita in the Indonesian U-17 World Cup.

Not only Guiu, the coach included at least eight players from the academy. This includes the defender duo Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort. They are also pillars in the back sector for Spain U-17 during the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

Cubarsi is even likely to start because Xavi wants to rest Ronald Araujo. Meanwhile, Inigo Martinez is definitely absent due to injury.

This gives the defender, who is still 16 years old, an opportunity to show his abilities. It could be that Cubarsi is a duet with Fort who is replacing Joao Cancelo due to injury.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, who are also from La Masia, have already played for the senior team. Both of them have often been called upon by Xavi when the team lost many players to injuries.

There are still more players from La Masia who were brought to Belgium to visit Royal Antwerp headquarters. There are Marc Casado, Angel Alarcon, and goalkeeper Ander Astralaga who have the opportunity to stand between the sticks.

Barca has lost main goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who had to undergo back surgery. Ter Stegen's position was then replaced by Inaki Pena who showed a good performance.

Xavi might choose Astralaga to be the main goalkeeper in the next match. So, it seems Pena will not be played by Xavi and will be replaced by Astralaga.