Why Marc Bernal was taken off at half-time of Barcelona’s win over Athletic Club

Bilbao—Marc Bernal’s evening at San Mamés lasted only 45 minutes. The 17-year-old midfielder, retained in Hansi Flick’s starting XI for Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club, was withdrawn at the interval for Pedri with the match goalless and speculation immediate.

ESPN reports the switch was driven by more than mere tactics: Bernal had been battling stomach discomfort during the opening half. Flick confirmed the issue in his post-match press conference, explaining, “We had to sub out Marc Bernal due to a precaution. He had some discomfort.”

The precautionary move preserves the teenager’s prospects of facing Newcastle United on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie. Barcelona will remain overnight in Bilbao before a morning flight to the north-east of England, a schedule designed to limit travel fatigue as the fixture list tightens.

The Catalans now await medical clearance on Bernal ahead of the European assignment.