The scene took place on December 13th, 2020. Espanyol B travelled to Sant Joan Despí to face Barça B in a "mini-derby".
Perico captain Ferran Jutglà equalised and kissed his captain's armband. Six months later, the striker was presented on that same pitch as a new signing for FC Barcelona.
At the end of his contract and after the club was relegated to the fourth division, Jutglà decided to join the rival side. The beginning of an improbable rise.
5 weeks to launch his career
Initially, Jutglà had to contribute to their goal of the season: the rise of Barça B to the second division. But things were not to be straightforward. As expected, he started the season with the Blaugrana team and, despite the uneven results, he adapted very well to his new environment with four goals and four assists in 15 games.
Appointed three weeks earlier, Xavi Hernández decided to include him in the group that travelled to the Sadar to face Osasuna (2-2). In the 89th minute, Jutglà replaced Abde. This was the first step that really launched his career. The following week, he started at the Camp Nou against Elche and opened the score in the 16th minute (3-2).
He made three more starts against Sevilla (1-1), Mallorca (1-0) and Granada (1-1) and played the last moments of the SuperCopa Clásico and the match against Alavés (1-1). In the Copa del Rey, he was also in the starting XI against Linares (2-1, one goal) and Athletic (3-2 loss).
Present in the group again, but not used against Atletico Madrid (4-2) and Espanyol (2-2). Due to the needs of Barça B, he was forced to return to the third division. With 15 goals and two assists in 17 games, Jutglà was the architect of the club's dreams of promotion. On the other hand, his numbers attracted interest from many clubs, both in LaLiga and abroad.
Best Spanish striker at the moment
Jutglà is now trying his luck in Belgium. Club Brugge had been crowned champions and qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. This proved to be a good deal for the Catalans. Barça pocketed five million euros and 10% on resale. Everyone won.
Since the beginning of the season, the striker has been in red hot form. In the league, over the 10 matches played including eight starts, he scored six goals and made two assists. In Europe, the Gazelles played the predators: Bayer Leverkusen (2-0), FC Porto (4-0) and Atletico Madrid (2-0). Against the Dragons and the Colchoneros, Jutglà hit hard: one goal and one assist in both games.
With 8 goals and 6 assists, constant progress has been shown and with great games against European giants, Jutglà is simply the best Spanish striker so far this season. And with one month to go before Luis Enrique's World Cup squad is announced, he's becoming quite the contender, not only to make the trip, but also to earn playing time.
In a team where no obvious profile emerges and where the prospect of playing with a false nine to compensate is not out of the question, Jutglà is supported by the Spanish press, who are delighted with his performance against Atletico. For the striker, it was the best stage to make his claim. So much so that his absence would be perceived as a real misunderstanding, even an injustice.
