Israeli Teen Orian Goren in Line for Barcelona Champions League Squad

Israeli youngster Orian Goren is in contention for a spot in Barcelona's senior squad ahead of their Champions League fixture against Aston Villa, after training with the first team on Monday. The 17-year-old midfielder is expected to step in for 16-year-old Ibrahima Sow, who occupied the bench in the recent league match against Alaves.

Sow missed Monday's training session, opening the door for Goren, who has earned high praise from head coach Hansi Flick after featuring in pre-season preparations over the summer. The adjustment is not solely tactical: the young Gambian midfielder is ineligible to be registered on Barcelona's List B for the Champions League because he has not yet completed the required residency period at the club since turning 15. Goren, by contrast, is already registered on List B and is fully available for Flick's European roster.

Flick is set to announce his matchday squad on Tuesday, with an ongoing injury crisis likely to force the inclusion of several other academy prospects. Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Xavi Espart, and Dani Olmo remain sidelined due to various injuries. Goren, who arrived at Barcelona from Maccabi Petah Tikva in 2023, currently plays for the club's reserve squad and previously made the bench during El Clasico.

Addressing the media ahead of the Aston Villa clash, Flick reflected on Barcelona's recent defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. "I think we played at the same level as PSG and Real Madrid, and the results could have been different," the German manager stated. "However, I do not like to look back, but rather ahead to the upcoming matches. We can make history and we are working towards that to win the league and the Champions League." Flick also praised Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, calling him one of the best coaches in Europe.