Sergio Aguero scores in behind-closed-doors friendly for Barcelona as he steps up bid to return to fitness after injury
SERGIO AGUERO scored in his return to action for Barcelona in a behind-closed-doors friendly – and could make debut on Sunday.
The Argentina striker, 33, proved his fitness by netting in a training ground friendly against third-tier side UE Cornella and could face Valencia at the weekend.
Aguero moved to the Nou Camp on a free transfer this summer after ten years at Manchester City, where he won fifteen trophies, including five league titles and ended as the club's all-time top scorer.
However, he suffered a calf injury in pre-season just before the start of Barca's LaLiga campaign, which has kept him out of action until now.
Aguero's return will come as a huge boost to under-fire manager Ronald Koeman, with his side failing to find the net in four of their last six games in all competitions.
The Catalan giants currently sit ninth in LaLiga, five points adrift of rivals Real and Atletico Madrid, after a poor start to the season in both the league and Champions League.
Koeman will be desperate to turn things around and win back the faith of the fans, having survived the sack so far despite the team's terrible run of form.
He will have the perfect opportunity to repay the faith shown in him by club President Joan Laporta with the first 'El Clasico' of the season coming up on 24 October at the Nou Camp, a must win game for Barca.
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The addition of Aguero and Ousmane Dembele will add significantly more firepower to Barca's misfiring frontline, with Koeman relying heavily on new signing Memphis Depay for goals.
The Dutch forward has only found the net three times in his nine appearances so far this season and has struggled to lead the line for the 26 time LaLiga champions.
But with Aguero, Dembele and wonderkid Ansu Fati all returning to fitness, Barca fans will expect their team to start hitting some form.
Despite Lionel Messi's departure, Koeman has a decent array attacking options to choose from, which also includes ex-Liverpool star Phillippe Coutinho.
If he is unable to turn things around with his squad at full fitness, he will struggle to maintain the support of Laporta and the Barca hierarchy, who will expect the club to be challenging for the LaLiga title.
But if he does make his debut against Valencia this weekend, he will hope to improve his poor record again them, winning only four of his 13 matches.
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