A calculated absence: How Hansi Flick is preserving Hamza Abdelkarim for Al Ahly clash

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FC Barcelona striker Hamza Abdelkarim has received a significant vote of confidence ahead of Wednesday's Joan Gamper Trophy encounter against his former club Al Ahly, having been deliberately preserved for first-team action.

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Abdelkarim was entirely rested from Barça Atlètic’s pre season friendly against CE Europa on Wednesday morning, a match the reserve side won 1-0 courtesy of a 19th minute goal from Aziz.

While reserve team head coach Juliano Belletti included other young talents who featured in first team preparations, such as midfielder Ebrima Tunkara & goalkeeper Iker Rodríguez, Abdelkarim’s complete omission was a calculated decision to keep him fresh and focused exclusively on senior team duties under Hansi Flick.

Strong pre-season form ahead of emotional reunion

The exclusion from reserve action underlines the standing Abdelkarim has built within Flick's setup throughout the summer.

The Egyptian prospect has remained integrated with the senior squad across pre season topping the club's scoring charts with three goals, most recently netting in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Swiss outfit FC Basel.

Wednesday night's fixture carries immense personal significance for the young striker. Having developed through Al Ahly's youth system before moving to Catalonia at the start of the year, Abdelkarim now faces his boyhood club on the grand stage of Spotify Camp Nou.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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