The Barça finds a '9'

Braithwaite celebrates his goal against Ferencvaros.ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP

As soon as he left Leganés and landed in Barcelona to seal an express operation and take the place of the injured Luis Suárez last winter, Martin Braithwaite (Esbjerg, Denmark, 29 years old) defined himself.

“I am strong, fast, physical and I love studying the game.

I'm a scorer ”, he resolved without modesty, something that the Barça dressing room does not usually digest.

But over time, the dressing room turned skepticism into confidence because the Dane has not broken his word.

Compete like few others in training, review the games and rivals,

Alfred Schreuder (Koeman's second) on tactical issues and everyone knows that after training the gym awaits you.

Gets along with.

And brand.

And he already plays because he has earned it.

In 2018, shortly after signing for Girondins de Bordeaux, Braithwaite asked coach Gustavo Poyet for an appointment.

The forward was worried about the collective game, also how it should be built back so that more balls would reach him.

“It was a very constructive talk because he was interested in football to use its virtues.

A discussion about what qualities worked best around him.

He was interested in performing and that is a pleasure for any coach, ”Poyet recalls.

Something similar happened to him at

.

"Koeman was delighted with his predisposition, how he trains and because of his interest in helping and evolving," they reveal at the club, which in summer rejected two offers from the Premier as insufficient, aware that the forward and especially the goal are expensive.

And Braithwaite, who has caused two penalties and signed four goals in the only three (and last) games he has played as a starter, knows that for a long time.

In addition, it makes others better because it acts as a reference for players like Dembélé and Griezmann, it stretches the team and with its trailing unchecks it leaves room for the second row.

"I'm happy to show that I belong to the team," he accepted after taking on Ferencváros.

"Martin is working very well, he works hard and contributes to the team from different positions because his moves and exchanges are very good for us," Koeman acknowledged in Budapest.

A compliment that evokes his desire to have a

since he arrived at the club, especially Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon).

“He doesn't stop throwing unmarked behind the line of four.

It can go very well to generate spaces for Messi.

Now we are seeing the player that he is ”, reflects Poyet.

But to have his chance, he has had to wait for his own.

“Many of those who came in the last few years were not mentally strong.

Braithwaite is Nordic, tough.

Perhaps the last one with that mental capacity was Henrik Larsson [Barça striker from 2004 to 2006 and now in Koeman's coaching staff] ”, they point out in the sports city.

“He never makes a bad face and is here to help.

He kills himself in every training session and when it ends, we all know that he goes to the gym ”, they add in the booth.

Ariete at 4-2-3-1

Braithwaite came into the market last year on the horn after Suarez was injured.

But with the pandemic and the stoppage, the Uruguayan recovered in time and the Danish international was lost in ostracism.

First with Setién and then with Koeman, until he placed

to reorder the pieces, so that the ends do not collide in their diagonals inwards, to leave the band to the lanes and so that the centers are finished in the area as wants Koeman with his 4-2-3-1, now propped up with a classic battering ram.

“He came because we lacked energy and because he could act in any attack position.

Now the team is younger and has new spirit, and although it does not have enough quality, it can change the games ", they point out at the club.

That happened against Ferencváros, as he lost 10 balls out of 30 but attacked in depth, reached the finish and magnified Barça's attack, in addition to signing his autograph (his goal came after 33 passes).

With Fati injured and Griezmann comfortable as midfielder - he has also scored in the last three games - Koeman will surely put his

against Cádiz

tomorrow

.