On August 25, the FC Barcelona announced the loan without purchase option until the end of the season Samuel Umtiti (28 years) to Lecce Italian, a recently promoted to the category. However, the French central defender has not yet made his debut with his team, which has surprised him because his signing created a lot of expectation among the fans. The reception of him at the airport even went viral, with the player overwhelmed by the love of the fans and bursting into tears.
According to MD, the reason is simple and has to do with training. Umtiti and Marco Baroni, the coach of Lecce, agreed on a period of adaptation due to his long period of inactivity. A time to work on the physical aspect and get to top form. The coach understands that Barça’s training sessions and his are different and that he needs to pick up a different and equal rhythm to that of the others.
The French center-back played his last official match on December 12, 2021. It was in El Sadar vs Osasuna, as a starter and with Xavi on the bench. Even so, Umtiti entered the calls for the matches days of Serie A so far. But he’s yet to come up from the bench. In Italy they point out that he might make his debut this October 9, in the match that Lecce will play vs Roma. However the same sources point out that his debut could be delayed. A decision will come before the match.
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