Barcelona new arrival is still not ready to start a match – report

Barcelona will look to move on from an upsetting 4-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, as they take on Unionistas in Copa Del Rey later this evening.

This is a must-win game for the Catalans, as Xavi Hernandez cannot afford to bow out of yet another competition. A win, however, will seal Barça a place in the quarterfinals.

As Barcelona prepare for this crucial encounter, many were hoping that new signing Vitor Roque will receive his first start after joining the club early in the January transfer window.

The Brazilian has featured in two games since joining the club so far, but has yet to make an impact, primarily due to lack of minutes.

A start against Unionistas, therefore, could have been an excellent opportunity for Roque to make a solid first impression.

Vitor Roque not ready to start

However, Vitor Roque once again starts on the bench, along with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan.

Vitor Roque hoping for some game time against Unionistas (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Shortly after Barcelona confirmed the starting eleven, Gerard Romero has come up with an update, as to why Vitor Roque was left on the bench tonight.

The Spanish journalist suggests that the Brazilian is not ready to start matches just yet, having only recently joined the Barcelona camp.

Furthermore, it must also be remembered that the 18-year-old had suffered some minor discomfort during the last cup tie against UD Barbastro. It led to him not featuring in the Spanish Super Cup and, as it stands, he is still not ready to start.

What can we expect from Roque?

Despite starting on the bench, Vitor Roque is likely to enjoy more game-time against Unionistas tonight.

The forward has not played more than 26 minutes in a single game so far. But tonight, he may appear as an early second-half substitute to add more flair in the Barcelona attack.

Especially if the Catalan frontline suffer as it did in the last Copa Del Rey encounter, Roque’s services could be paramount.

The offensive partnership between Roque and Lewandowski, in particular, could be one to watch out for in the latter part of the game.