Barcelona €61 million signing could get a rare start against Las Palmas – report

After a two-week hiatus due to the international break, Barcelona will return to action this Saturday when they host UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

The Catalans went into the international break on the back of a resounding 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid that sent them to the second spot in the La Liga table.

Xavi Hernandez & co. will be eager to resume from they left off but the manager might have a few key selection decisions to make, factoring in the players’ workloads with their national teams.

Vitor Roque could start

As such, one of the possibilities for Barcelona against Las Palmas, as per SPORT, would be for Vitor Roque to get a start ahead of Robert Lewandowski in the No. 9 position.

Lewandowski returns from the international break with over 200 minutes for Poland across two games – 90 against Estonia and 120 against Wales – as he helped his team qualify for the Euro 2024.

But during Tuesday’s game against Wales, Lewandowski picked up a minor knock on his thigh in the second half. Even though he soldiered on through extra time and penalties, it will be a matter of slight concern for Barcelona.

Lewandowski could be rested vs Las Palmas. (Photo by WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

As such, there is a possibility that Xavi could opt to rest Lewandowski and instead use Vitor Roque as the centre-forward against Las Palmas, after all the teenager is fit and fresh, having not travelled for international assignments.

Roque’s big chance?

It has been a difficult couple of months for Roque since he arrived at Barcelona in January. The teenager, signed for €61 million (including add-ons) from Athletico Paranaense, has not seen a lot of chances come his way.

In fact, the 19-year-old has started just one game and played a total of 239 minutes from 11 matches in all competitions.

But the forward admitted in a recent interview that he is confident his chance will come, saying: “I am sure that I will be an important player at Barça. Match by match I’m gaining confidence.”

This Saturday, against Las Palmas, could end up being a big opportunity for the teenage sensation.