Barça beat Racing and the culé fans speak out: 'He has to play more!'

FC Barcelona has managed to beat Racing de Santander 0-2 in the Copa del Rey round of 16. After Real Madrid's elimination against Albacete yesterday, Hansi Flick's men arrived at El Sardinero warned and with the obligation not to fail. The culé team has fulfilled the predictions by sealing its place in the next round, although it has had to work much harder than expected.

Racing has presented a bold and very attractive approach. Far from sitting back, the Segunda División leaders have created some danger for Barça by pressing high in several stretches of the match. That approach caused a certain sense of danger, especially in the opening minutes.

Barça knew how to hold on during the most uncomfortable moments of the match. Flick asked for patience from the touchline, aware that Racing's physical effort could open up spaces as the minutes went by. Defensive solidity was once again one of the team's main strengths in the first half.

In the second half, the script gradually changed. Racing's tempo dropped and Barça began to find more passing lanes between the lines. It was then that the two flashes that decided the match arrived, courtesy of Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal.

Marc Bernal wins everyone over

However, beyond the goals, the real protagonist of the night has been someone else. Marc Bernal has appeared in the starting line-up in a demanding setting and has not gone unnoticed. The academy product has shown great flashes of quality that excite the culé fans.

His match has been so good that the first reactions on social media have not taken long to appear. Many Barça fans were asking why Marc Bernal doesn't play more minutes. The consensus was clear: his performance deserves continuity.

The explanation, however, is simple and well known within the club. Marc Bernal is coming off a knee injury that is conditioning his role. Flick prefers to proceed with caution to avoid any relapse.

Matches like today's at El Sardinero reinforce that roadmap. Marc Bernal has shown that he has the level to compete in the most demanding settings. Now, the next step is to find continuity without taking unnecessary risks.