BARCELONA - Sergio Agüero is finally set to make his Barcelona debut at home to Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday and the Catalans will be hoping the prolific Argentine can lift their spirits after a dismal start to the season.
Agüero joined Barça on a free transfer in the close-season after a trophy-laden decade with Manchester City in which he became the fourth leading scorer in Premier League history and struck 260 times to become the club's all-time top scorer.
But the excitement of his arrival was quickly overshadowed by Lionel Messi's shock departure in August, which was soon followed by Agüero, a close friend of the former captain, injuring a calf muscle. He resumed full training this week and is expected to be on the bench when Barça host Valencia looking to respond to their 2-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid before the international break.
First time in Blaugrana colors for Kun ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AHQ6Le1GLn
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 13, 2021
Agüero's return comes at an ideal time for Barça, who have one win in their last six games in all competitions and failed to score in four of them.
Still one of the most clinical finishers around, Agüero's cold-blooded efficiency in the area could certainly benefit Ronald Koeman's side, who are creating remarkably few chances this season. They failed to have a shot on target in each of their 3-0 defeats in the Champions League to Bayern Munich and Benfica respectively and only tested Atlético keeper Jan Oblak twice in their loss to the champions.
Barça can expect Agüero to make the most of any chances that fall his way and help them return to playing the flowing football their fans demand rather than the direct style they have been attempting this season.
First goal for Kun pic.twitter.com/GsjztZWViN
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 13, 2021
Agüero meanwhile, has his own point to prove after struggling with fitness problems for most of the last 12 months, in which he had to endure eight setbacks including two knee injuries and a long period out due to coronavirus. The 33-year-old also expected to be playing with Messi and in a side challenging for the title rather than in one that is ninth in the table and bottom of their Champions League group.
"The majority of players want to wear this shirt, whether Barça are doing well or badly. I arrived with the expectation of playing with Leo and that a big team would be assembled, which was the club's aim," Agüero told newspaper El Pais on Thursday. "But you can only be a starter when you are playing well and helping the team. That's what I'm thinking about, helping the team with a goal every time I play regardless of the changes the team has undergone, among them Leo's departure."
Elsewhere in LaLiga, Real Sociedad have the chance to go three points clear at the top when they host Mallorca on Saturday. Leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Atlético are not playing after their matches were postponed due to LaLiga's rift with FIFA over South America's World Cup qualifiers.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Toby Davis)
