Barcelona hand Hamza Abdelkarim youth-team chance in Youth Champions League

Barcelona have decided to reinforce their youth side with several first-team players, with Hamza Abdelkarim the most notable addition for Sunday’s Youth Champions League meeting with Aston Villa, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

The match will take place on the same day as the senior teams’ fixture between Barcelona and Aston Villa. Paul Blanas’ side are aiming for a victory that would move them closer to the next stage of the competition, having collected four points from a possible nine.

The main changes to Barcelona’s squad are the inclusion of Ibrahima Tounkara and Abdelkarim. Sport reports that Abdelkarim did not complete Monday’s training session with the group, but Barcelona’s management have nevertheless chosen to make him available for the youth-team match.

The decision comes after the Egyptian forward’s limited involvement with the first team. With Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha among Barcelona’s attacking options, the club’s sporting department believes that a spell with the youth side will give Abdelkarim the opportunity to train and play regularly at a high competitive level.

Abdelkarim has made two brief appearances for Barcelona’s first team since the start of the current season. He was also the club’s first-choice striker during pre-season preparations.

The forward has played once for Barcelona’s reserve team this season and scored in that appearance. His involvement with the youth side against Aston Villa will provide another opportunity for competitive minutes in the Youth Champions League.

Barcelona’s four points from their opening nine available leave Blanas’ team needing a positive result as they seek to strengthen their position in the race to reach the next phase. The promotion of Abdelkarim and Tounkara forms part of the club’s decision to add further strength to the squad for the fixture.