Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in New York (USA) with 2 goals from young striker Pau Viktor. Last week, Hansi Flick's team also won against Manchester City on penalties. Everything in the pre-season is quite stable for the Blaugrana despite many thorns ahead, especially financial problems and huge debts.
In that context, young star options or "homegrown" people from La Masia will become the club's salvation. After the talents revealed in the previous season such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi or Fermin Lopez, Barcelona now have another talent who can start in the first team and help the "Giants" overcome this difficult period.
Last season in the Barcelona B shirt, Pau Viktor scored the most goals (18). The 22-year-old striker has won the title of "Gunners' cutter" in the Spanish Third Division.
When given the opportunity to play a series of friendlies in the US, Viktor successfully took advantage. Barcelona are gradually looking for factors to replace Robert Lewandowski as a striker, so this is the best opportunity for Pau Viktor.
Against arch-rival Real Madrid, Viktor was Barcelona's busiest player. Although the match was only friendly, the 22-year-old striker continuously pressed early in the opponent's half and ran continuously to receive the ball from his teammates.
Viktor's explosive performance is the most prominent positive point in Barcelona's US tour this summer. The reason is that many key players are still tired after a stressful season and are stuck with the national team call-up schedule in June and July.
Viktor cannot be compared to his senior Lewy, but this young striker has all the qualities to be able to reach the level. His physique is not too outstanding, but Viktor has speed, good shots on both legs, a stable header and the ability to choose sharp positions.
Against Real Madrid, he scored a goal at the end of the first half with a close-range header. At the beginning of the second half, the Barca striker fired again with a shot from close range after receiving the ball from a pass on the right wing.
Not stopping there, throughout the 90 minutes, Viktor tested Thibaut Courtois' skills a lot. Once, he headed dangerously in the first half. Another time in the second half, the Real Madrid "goalkeeper" had to fly to save the goal after Viktor's dangerous left-footed shot.
Being born in Catalan, imbued with Barcelona's culture and identity, Pau Viktor is considered to have a very clear local quality. Therefore, he received absolute support from the Cules. Recognizing his student's potential on the pitch and the support in the stands, Flick could not help but include Viktor in the first team's key personnel group for next season.
"We will see what will happen to Pau Viktor in the future. In the past two matches, he has scored 3 goals, which is not a bad metric. The door to the first team is always open for this guy" - Hansi Flick said after the match.
