Oriol Romeu has had discomfort in the cartilage of his right knee for some time. In fact, the week that Xavi opted for Christensen’s debut as a midfielder against Alavés, it was, in part, because Oriol Romeu was out of training for seven days due to his discomfort. And, in fact, he was dropped from the list for the match against Granada on February 11 in Montjuïc. “These are unpredictable discomforts,” they point out from the sports city, who do not dare to predict how many minutes Romeu can last on the pitch. . When he rests, he feels better. With the losses of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri he hopes to regain prominence. “Every time the sensations are better. The worst thing is not being able to help your teammates,” said Romeu yesterday at the presentation of the 22nd edition of the MIC Tournament, a grassroots soccer classic.
During this time, the club’s medical services recommended that he follow conservative treatment that continues to affect his daily life. Currently Romeu practices strength exercises and frequently visits the club’s physiotherapist. He is also closely monitored by physical trainer Iván Torres. His landing at Barcelona has not been easy. He came to be the replacement for Busquets. “We need a top signing,” warned Xavi Hernández when Busquets announced that he would not renew his contract with Barcelona. Given the economic impossibility of being able to sign midfielders with high or impossible-to-negotiate exit clauses such as Zubimendi, Kimmich or Brozovic – Xavi spoke with all of them before – the consensus solution was Oriol Romeu.
The Ulldecona midfielder shone last year with Girona. He became an essential pillar of Míchel’s project and played a total of 33 games, with two goals. Furthermore, he had trained at La Masia. Due to price and quality, it fit into the sports management’s plans, so Barça paid the 4 million of its clause to Girona. Romeu was enthusiastic in the preseason. He looked strong, confident and convincing, especially when he coincided in the eleven with Frenkie de Jong. He played eight games in a row as a starter. But then he stagnated. He appeared in the photograph of Antwerp’s goals in Belgium (3-2) and also in Barcelona’s draw against Mallorca (2-2). “The start was good. Afterwards the performance has gone down,” Romeu acknowledged that, in November, he had an external consultation due to the discomfort.
“But I haven’t had any mental problems. I looked for small actions to grow. Football is constant and changing,” added Romeu who now, with the absences of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, hopes to gain minutes. “It’s hard to lose them. But I am prepared for what the coach and the team need,” said the midfielder who regretted the draw that the team achieved in San Mamés against Athletic Club: “It was an opportunity and we did not take advantage of it.” But there is still the season. Nobody wants the game to end in March and everyone is focused on the match on the 12th against Naples. “1-1 in the first leg is not an ideal result. But it is a good result. If Barça is at its best, it will have a good chance of progressing to the quarterfinals. The best thing we can do is focus first on Mallorca to go strong for that match,” Romeu predicted.
For his part, he is clear about the steps to follow. “I have learned to escape. Before there was not so much noise. But a player knows if he does well or not. You don’t need to read social networks. It is important that young people know that you should not listen to what they say about you. You have to surround yourself with those you always have and those who love you. They will always give you an honest opinion,” prescribed Romeu, who continues to see a psychologist.
