BARCELONA (Reuters) – Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has suggested that striker Sergio Agüero could make his debut in Sunday’s La Liga home game against Valencia.
The Argentinian arrived at Barça from English champions Manchester City at the end of his contract in July, but has yet to play an official game due to a calf injury.
Agüero played – and scored – in a closed-door friendly during the national team break, and Koeman said he is running for a spot on Sunday.
“He has improved a lot lately, playing 20 to 25 minutes in Wednesday’s friendly. He’s doing well,” Koeman said.
“He’s not in game or physical rhythm, but that will come with game time. He is fighting to be selected, he can contribute a lot to the team.”
“The important thing is that he improves his fitness and he will do it playing.”
The visit of Koeman’s former club will mark the beginning of an important week for the coach and the team, with a duel against Dynamo Kiev at Camp Nou on Wednesday before arch-rivals Real Madrid arrive in town next Sunday.
Ansu Fati is also in contention to make his first game since he injured his knee last November, and Koeman has said the final decision will be made on Sunday.
“He’s getting better every day, but he’s been away for a long time and he can’t go back in just two weeks,” Koeman said. “About Ansu, we need to think that there are three games this week and he can’t play all three. We need to decide what’s best for the team.”
Barça will be without defender Ronald Araújo, midfielder Pedri and striker Martin Braithwaite for Sunday’s game, which will be the first time the club has been able to play at full stadium capacity since before the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
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