Why Marc Bernal was taken off for Barcelona against Atletico

Barcelona’s promising midfielder Marc Bernal endured a frustrating cameo on Saturday night, forced off with an ankle complaint shortly after entering the fray as a substitute for Ronald Araujo in the hard-fought league clash with Atlético Madrid. The 17-year-old, introduced to add fresh legs to Hansi Flick’s midfield, lasted only minutes of the second half before signalling discomfort and making way for further treatment.

According to reliable club reporter Gerard Romero, Bernal twisted his ankle during a challenge and will undergo scans on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage. The timing could hardly be worse: Barça travel to the Metropolitano again on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against the same opponents.

Flick is already contending with the prolonged absence of Frenkie de Jong, who has yet to receive medical clearance, and any lay-off for Bernal would further thin an already stretched engine room. The German coach is expected to lean on Marc Casado, Gavi and the versatile Eric Garcia to fill the void should Bernal be ruled out.

Saturday’s victory in the capital keeps Barcelona firmly in the Liga title race, yet the sight of another academy graduate leaving the pitch on a sour note served as a sobering reminder of the squad’s delicate balance between youthful promise and senior availability. The club’s medical staff will work against the clock to provide clarity before the European showdown.