Barça B: Season Preview

Yesterday Barcelona Atlètic played their first match of the season. After the team won their group of the Spanish fourth division and struggled through the play-offs last season, Barcelona Atlètic will play this year again in the third group of the Segunda División B, the Spanish third division that is divided in four regional groups.

Coach Josep Guardiola got promoted himself, to the first team, and was succeeded by former Barcelona player Luis Enrique. The new coach seems to have pretty much the same style as his predecessor, both off and on the pitch, keeping the 4-3-3 and putting the emphasis on pressuring the opponent over the whole pitch.

Because some key players left this summer and Barcelona doesn't want to live the same experience as two years ago when a very young B team was relegated to the fourth division, seven more experienced players were brought in. Although it's very difficult to make predictions, it's generally accepted that the team should be capable to have a comfortable season and place itself around mid-table.

Goal
Oier, who arrived last summer, is expected to stay the first choice. His substitutes are Miño and Masip, who both promoted from the Juvenil A. Miño, who travelled with the first team to Poland last week because there were some doubts about Pinto, will be the number two.

Defence
With the exit of Chico (to first division team Almeria) and captain Valiente (to second division team Sevilla B), the team has lost its centre-back duo. Three central defenders were brought in to fill the gap.

Joni, who joins on loan from first division team Sporting Gijón, is expected to be a regular. For the second place Verdés and Solano will have to compete. Botia is not expected to be able to play himself in the team. Juvenil A central defender Romeu could get some playing time.

Both at right and left back there's only one player available: Corcoles at the right and Espasandin on the left. Juvenil A right back defender Montoya is available if needed.

Midfield
Dimas (to first division team Numancia) and Víctor Sánchez (promoted to the first team) aren't there anymore, but midfield nevertheless seems to be the strongest part of this team with the virtual possibility of composing two almost equally strong midfields.

Xavi Torres and Busquets will have to compete for the spot as defensive midfielder. Promoted Juvenil A captain Fontàs could become the successor of Víctor Sánchez as polyvalent midfielder and defender who can be used at several defensive positions.

Busquets can also play higher up the pitch although Luis Enrique has there already problems to choose between Víctor Vázquez, Abraham, Thiago (promoted from the Juvenil A) and Longás.

Attack
To replace centre forward Guerra, Barcelona Atlètic signed Maric, who was the top goal scorer of the third division last season. Nolito, who seemed to have been brought in as central striker, played during the pre-season regularly on the wings. Juvenil A striker Rochina will get his minutes.

With Pedro promoted to the first team, Jeffren and Gai should be the starters on the wings, although Rayo had a good pre-season and is a valid and experienced alternative.



Squad list
In green you have the players who were promoted from the Juvenil A team, in red you have the players who joined the club.

Oier Olazábal (18)
Rubén Miño (19)
Jordi Masip (19)

Alberto Tomás Botía (19)
Jonathan López (21)
David Córcoles (23)
Víctor Manuel Espasandín (23)
José Antonio Solano (23)
Héctor Verdés (24)

Xavi Torres (21)
Andreu Fontàs (18)
José Manuel Rueda (20)
Sergi Busquets (20)
Thiago Alcántara (17)
Abraham González (22)
Antonio Longás (24)
Víctor Vázquez (21)

Manuel Agudo Duran 'Nolito' (21)
Jeffren Suárez (21)
Rubén Rayos 'Rayo' (22)
Gai Yigaal Assulin (17)
Goran Maric (24)