How Gerard Gumbau has risen above Sergi Samper

How Gerard Gumbau has risen above Sergi Samper

Together with Juan Camara, Gerard Gumbau is the big surprise of the season in the first team squad. No one expected this - not even him, in his second year in Blaugrana. But Luis Enrique, between the punishment by FIFA and injuries, has been forced to dip into the cantera and has chosen the lanky left-footed midfielder. He did it in preseason and continues to back the youngster.

Gumbau has risen ahead of Sergi Samper, who seemed bound to have a bigger role this season. In fact, Samper debuted with Luis Enrique in the Champions League last season, while Gumbau only played a Copa del Rey match against Elche. Everything has changed, and Pep Segura, technical secretary of the B team and the Junior A side, claimed on Sunday's "Hat-trick Barca program on Esport3 that the reason is because "Luis Enrique wants to learn more about Gerard, while he already knows Samper well." The coach himself rejected the question, visibly annoyed, when asked about the two players at press conferences. The reality, beyond interpretations, is that Gumbau, quietly, has crept into the dynamics of the first team, and probably as well as his football, his quiet nature also has something to do with Luis Enrique's decision.

Meanwhile, Gerard, who on Sunday returned to Barca B, played as a pivote and collaborated with an assist in the first victory of the B team in the Mini Estadi, stays with his feet on the ground. "I am a Barca player B, that's what my status says and will continue to say. If they call me for the first team, I'll be there to do whatever it takes. And if I go down, I'll work as hard as possible to keep moving forward," he explained in the mixed zone after the victory against Alcoyano.

But the situation, despite the privilege Gerard Gumbau has attained, has some drawbacks. One of them was confirmed on Sunday against Alcoyano. After playing a very good match, he struggled in the last half an hour. "When you do not have as many minutes in the first team, you lose a little way," he said. Also, Gerard Lopez mentioned this in the press conference after the game. "Luis Enrique, with the international break, wanted match fitness and to add minutes at Barca B. It's something I've noticed in the final stretch of the game."

Gerard Gumbau, the most diligent student of Luis Enrique, is aware of the debate that has arisen around his name and that of Sergi Samper, but hit back, saying: "We can play together perfectly as seen today. We understand each other very well." For now, they will play at Barca B.