FC Barcelona ‘Negatively Surprised’ By Miralem Pjanic Poor Physical Condition

FC Barcelona are shocked by the poor physical condition of new signing Miralem Pjanic, according to a report.

Joining the Blaugrana in a head-scratching move that saw Arthur switch to the Bosnia’s former club Juventus, and was widely criticized by fans unimpressed by seeing their team swap a 23-year-old prospect for a 30-year-old veteran, Pjanic has managed just 27 minutes of competitive soccer in 2020/2021.

These came against Villarreal (12), in a 4-0 opening day victory at the Camp Nou, and the 1-1 draw against Sevilla (15). On Saturday at Getafe, where Ronald Koeman’s men slumped to their first defeat on the Dutchman’s watch, he was tipped as a starter but failed to feature.

SPORT write on Monday that while Barça have already played four matches in La Liga, Pjanic “is still in preseason”. Arriving in “very far from ideal physical shape” to his first session at the Catalan club on September 17, the midfielder is apparently “two steps behind his teammates in training”. 

And though Koeman and his coaching staff trust in the qualities of Pjanic and conceded that he recently suffered from a bout of coronavirus, it is still thought that the player “sinned” and somewhat let himself go on vacation in August.

Nevertheless, Koeman is rumored to be considering giving Pjanic a run out against Ferencvaros on Tuesday in the Champions League.

In the center of the park, whether Barça line up in a 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3 the Dream Team legend reverted to at the weekend, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets are in need of a break. They have started every fixture thus far this term, while also completing recent matches on international duty.

Pjanic too starred for Bosnia, and worried his employers by picking up a suspected back injury, but with El Clasico coming up against title rivals Real Madrid on Saturday, Koeman will have to risk his charge to take on the Hungarians before De Jong and Busquets return to the fold.

Koeman could rest one or both, with the latter development most likely spelling a starting debut on the continent for Riqui Puig or a second such inclusion for fellow La Masia graduate Carles Alena.