Pep Guardiola rediscovered another Man City option vs Barcelona

Friendlies in the middle of the regular Premier League season are often discouraged, with the threat of injury in a match that means nothing a reason why many managers wish to avoid such fixtures. However, the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) cause was a particularly good one to support, and the fixture also helped remind Pep Guardiola of an option he may have forgotten he had.

Cole Palmer's breakout season for the Blues was meant to be realised in the 2021/22 campaign. An unfortunate foot injury curtailed that entirely with the City youngster missing 16 matches between January and April.

Trying to muscle your way back into a team that performs to such a high standard like City can be difficult for some of the world's best, never mind for a young player who has been injured for such a long period. And so it has proved in the opening three games of the Premier League.

ALSO READ: Palmer sets new challenge after Barcelona goal

Palmer made just a two minute cameo for the Blues on the opening day at West Ham, a match that was already done and dusted by the time he entered the pitch. A knock kept him out of the squad entirely for the visit of AFC Bournemouth and he was an unused substitute against Newcastle United the following weekend.

If ever there was a game that Palmer desperately needed, it was Wednesday's trip to the Camp Nou. A 90,000+ crowd awaited the 20-year-old and he rose to the occasion.

His performance wasn't perfect, and you wouldn't expect it to be from a youngster playing after an injury as serious as his. But, he managed to get himself on the scoresheet to remind Guardiola just what he has in his repertoire.

Post-match, Palmer acknowledged that he had managed to accomplish what he had set out to achieve.