Barça B - Match report: Villareal B

The usual line-up changes of Luis Enrique included this time the new centre-back duo Verdés-Botía, first team player Víctor Sánchez moving to midfield and Abraham having another start.

Oier, Córcoles, Verdés, Botía, Espasandín, Víctor Sánchez (80 Rayo), Rueda (67 Longás), Abraham, Víctor Vázquez, Maric, Nolito (67 Gai)

See the further match stats and the league table here

The first half showed the class of both teams. The play was quick, the passing was excellent and there were good chances on both sides. Villareal dominated slightly but Barcelona was dangerous on the counter-attack. The best chance was for Víctor Vázquez, who dribbled three players before his shot hit the post. Villareal also touched the woodwork just before half-time.

Villareal B started dominating the second half and had a few good chances. Barcelona took over with Víctor Sánchez leading the team forward. The goal came when Verdés deflicted a centre into his own goal. Barcelona looked for the equalizer, Maric had a few chances but the Villareal defense grew in the match and could easily control the Barcelona attacks.

Twenty minutes before the end, after a series of misunderstandings Villareal scored the 2-0 which meant the end of the game. Gai tried some more but the team lacked the will and the ideas to change the match. A goal by Rayo was cancelled because of an offside positioning.

Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that he was disappointed by his team's second half performance: "I saw a very balanced start of the game but we were totally uneffective and we had some bad luck with the scoring. In the second half we lacked motivation.

In this league, the little details make the difference and we didn't take care of them. Villareal was more solid in defense. If we want this bad record in away games - zero points and zero goals out of three matches - to change, we need to start taking care of the details, otherwise we'll suffer."


Oier 7
Córcoles 6
Verdés 6
Botía 6
Espasandín 6
Víctor Sánchez 6
Rueda 7
Abraham 6
Víctor Vázquez 8
Maric 6
Nolito 6

Gai 5
Longas 5
Rayo 5

Barça B - Match report: Atlético Baleares

Víctor Sánchez was again available because Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola didn't select him for the first team. Thiago took one of the three expensive midfield spots. Oier and Víctor Vázquez had their first start of the season.

Oier, Córcoles, Joni (77 Xavi Torres), Víctor Sánchez, Espasandín, Thiago (45 Gai), Rueda, Longás (72 Abraham), Víctor Vázquez, Maric, Nolito

See the further match stats and the league table here

Barcelona dominated the game from the beginning until the end but didn't have it easy against a very defensive oppponent. Barcelona had ball possession from the start and the pressure of the whole team didn't allow Baleares to come out regularly. A strong Víctor Sánchez eliminated all potential danger.

All the ticking nevertheless didn't lead to a lot of chances, with crosses not arriving and shots going largely wide. All actions initially started from Nolito on the left side. When Víctor Vázquez got involved on the other wing, the danger started coming. A first cross went into corner but a few minutes later, in the 38th minute, a sharp centre of Víctor Vázquez lead to a goal by Nolito.

One minute before half-time, Baleares scored the equalizer out of their first real opportunity of the game, when Jose scored after a throw-in and a nice inside pass.

Luis Enrique decided to let Gai Assulin start the second half, making his season's debut. The Israel youth international began with two good actions in the first five minutes and gave the team more depth. At the hour, a shot by Maric went just wide and a hard shot by Víctor Vázquez was saved, like was a shot of Rueda.

Barcelona kept Baleares in their box for the last fifteen minutes, but the goal didn't fall, with one great chance, two other balls saved from the line and a possible penalty not awarded. Five minutes before the end, Maric headed an excellent cross from Abraham strongly into the goal. In extra-time, a free kick of Baleares went wide.


Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that it was a difficult game: "We knew that it wouldn't be easy and they indeed kept a lot of players behind the ball. We planned to play fluently and to give the opponent no chance. When we scored the first goal we thought things would change and there would be more space. But that wasn't the case. A childish error costed us the equalizer and we had to start all over again.

We started the second half with a lot of motivaton to play well, both technically and physically. We created a lot of chances, three or four real scoring chances, and we came closer to the objective. We got our second home victory after suffering a lot. It's good to keep up the positive series at home.

We suffered a lot. For the first time this season, I have been suffering. I try to look at the game with a cool head so I can make the analysis and see what's best for the team but this time the circumstances made me suffer very much.

I will keep on rotating. We have 21 key players in this squad. The players respond well to the rotating. I see they're all involved, those who play, those who sit on the bench and those who aren't called up. They live and do everything together. That's one more reason why I like this squad a lot although we still have to work hard and get better.

I liked Gai, he was very good. It was the first time he played, we want to have him at his top, his physical level got a lot better but he still needs some more. He contributes a lot, he's decisive in one-on-one, he scores easily and he's only 17. Can you ask more? Today he played on the right wing, but it shouldn't always be like that.

Víctor Vázquez is technically superior, top quality. He can play on the wing, in the centre or as attacking midfielder. He's very motivated and I liked his game a lot. He participated in the first goal and, like the others, he's a key player.

Thiago is a spectacular player, another youth product that could go very far, but has still some steps to make. The fact that I took him off after the first half doesn't mean he had a bad game. It wasn't a punishment, on the contrary."

Barça B - Match report: Sant Andreu

For the game against the leader, the centre back duo was changed for the third time. With Víctor Sánchez returning to the first team and Verdés being suspended, Joni and Botía were the central defenders. Captain Xavi Torres re-entered the team as defensive midfielder. The forward line didn't change.

Miño, Córcoles, Botía, Joni, Espasandín, Rueda (80 Abraham), Xavi Torres, Longás (65 Tiago), Rayo (58 Víctor Vázquez), Maric, Nolito

See the further match stats here

Sant Andreu president Joan Gaspart, who was the president of Barcelona from 2000 to 2003, had his heart divided for this game. Midfielder Sergi Busquets, who had made his debut with the first team the day before, assisted the game to support his team-mates.

The game was very tactical from the start, with very few opportunites during the ninety minutes. Barcelona only held Maric, who was protesting a lot all along the match, deep and the wingers felt back to midfield waiting to break out if possible. It was a balanced game although Sant Andreu seemed to dominate parts of it, also due to a very solid midfield that recovered a lot of balls.

After just two minutes, Botía had to save a ball from the goal line. Rueda shot twice on goal and Nolito, the most dynamic Barcelona player, had two small chances. Miño had to hold one ball in the first half.

The second half was somewhat more attractive. After ten minutes, a good shot by Nolito was saved. Luis Enrique brought Víctor Vázquez and Tiago trying to give some more depth to the Barcelona play. The rhythm of the game went up but this didn't lead to chances.

Sant Andreu nevertheless took over and started to push more. A first shot just went wide but in the 70th minute the opponents could score out of ball that bounced back after Miño had saved a first chance.

Sant Andreu went for a second and decisive goal but it was Barcelona who had some chances to equalize. After a good action, a shot by Nolito went wide and the striker missed a few minutes later in a one-on-one with the Sant Andreu gaolkeeper. The latter also saved a shot by Abraham in extra time.

Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that he thought the defeat wasn't really justified: "This was clearly a game that should have ended with a draw. In my humble opinion, none of the two teams was superior. I'm leaving with a bad feeling because they scored out of half a chance. We had some chances but we couldn't finish them.

I'm nevertheless satisfied with the work of the players. I can't complain about their attitude. Sant Andreu will surely play for the top positions in the league. We knew that it would be a difficult game but they didn't cause us great troubles. On the other hand it's true that we didn't have many clear chances either.

We have to take some details from this game, we'll integrate them in our training sessions next week. In general, I think we're going in the right direction, like I was expecting. And all players will particpate this season. I don't have a fixed team right now. Maybe it will come later in the season but there aren't starters and substitutes here and those who convince during training sessions and matches will play."



Read more match reports here

Barça B - Match report: Gramenet

Only five players survived Luis Enrique's rage after the first game of the season (read more here). Centre back duo Joni and Romeu weren't part of the squad and the whole midfield was replaced with Rueda surpisingly starting as defenisve midfielder. Víctor Sánchez rejoined his last season team-mates and played as central defender. Miño kept Oier on the bench for the second game in a row.

Miño, Córcoles, Víctor Sánchez, Héctor Verdés (out 12), Espasandín, Thiago, Rueda (45 Xavi Torres), Longás, Nolito (68 Busquets), Maric, Rayo (45 Jeffren)

See the further match stats here

With no first team football last weekend, a lot of people came to the Mini Estadi to watch the first home game of Barcelona Atlètic this season, from Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola over board members and former players to opera singer Josep Carreras. Before the match there was a one-minute silence for Barcelona legend Joan Segarra, who died at the age of 80 days before.

Barcelona started well and Nolito had the 1-0 on his boots after only four minutes. Luis Enrique nevertheless already had to change his game plan when central defender Verdés was rightly sent off after a tackle in the 11th minute.

The coach, who was standing by the side-line supporting his players during the whole game---only getting back to the bench once to kick it after Thiago lost a ball in midfield, decided to play with three defenders and this appeared to be the right choice. Gramenet didn't come out of its defensive position and Barcelona dominated the first half, although this didn't lead to a lot of chances.

Víctor Sánchez organised the defense and Longás proved his quality and experience by taking the lead of the team. Shots by Nolito, who was very active on the left wing, and Thiago were saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

In the second half, Luis Enrique changed the 3-3-3 to a 4-3-2. Xavi Torres entered to play alongside Víctor Sánchez in a four-men defense, although both got the freedom to go forward. Longás and Nolito dropped back a line and Maric and Jeffren were the strikers.

After five minutes, Víctor Sánchez opened the score after a great run and an assist by Maric. Five minutes later Gramenet was also reduced to ten man after a fault on Nolito. Barcelona kept on controlling the game and in the 71st minute a corner kick by Jeffren was headed into the net by Xavi Torres, who could have previously made a fault on the goalkeeper.

Gramenet finally decided to react and hit the post twice in the last quarter. Jeffren, who was playing a good second half, got injured when he shot on goal after a pass by Maric. The winger had to leave the pitch with an injury and Barcelona ended the game with nine men.

Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that he was happy with the performance of his team: "I'm very satisfied because we kept last season's good series at home. And we were able to overcome the early red card. Today I liked everything with exception of that red card.

I liked a lot of things, especially the way we started the game because this usually tells a lot about the team. Despite the expulsion, we didn't change our style and this proves that a team can get over such moments. The performance of Víctor Sánchez has been impressive.

I'm very satisfied with the attitude of the team. With a good attitude everything is a lot easier. Although they are very young, we knew how to play at every moemnt of the game. This victory will be a stimulation for the players by seeing that all the hard work since the start of the pre-season leads to something.

It's true that I made a lot of changes but that doesn't mean I was disappointed. I have a squad of 21-22 players and they all have qualities. Starting a game or not will depend on their motivation, their ambition and their daily work on training. Everyone will play this season and everyone will spend time on the bench and in the stands.

About the transfer of Iago I want to say that I never intended to say that he was a player Barcelona wasn't interested in. I think honesty is a virtue of a coach and I told him that I thought it would be difficult for him to get a lot of playing time this season. It's a great player and a good boy but it was better for him to move. I wish him all the best."

Barça B - Match report: Santa Eulalia

The surprise in the Barcelona line-up was the replacement of last season's first choice goalkeeper Oier by Rubén Miño who has been promoted from the Juvenil A team this summer.

Miño, Córcoles, Romeu, Joni, Espasandín, Abraham (59 Thiago), Xavi Torres (59 Longás), Busquets, Nolito, Maric, Jeffren (75 Rayo)

See the further match stats here

Barcelona clearly dominated the first half with an advanced back-line and a midfield that controlled the game but the ball possession didn't lead to an advantage on the score board. Santa Eulàlia was well-organized behind the ball and Barcelona could only create a few opportunities.

While Jeffren didn't seem to be around, Nolito was very active and had a first chance at the beginning of the match. After 15 minutes, an impressive 30 metres shot by Xavi Torres was deflected in corner. Two minutes before half-time, Maric scored but the goal was cancelled because of an unclear off-side.

Santa Eulàlia started stronger in the second half and at the sideline coach Luis Enrique showed his disappointment about the attitude of his team. The Barcelona midfield lost control and had difficulties to take out the counter attacks of Santa Eulàlia. Miño had to make three good saves in the second half, one of them after a mistake by Joni.

With Longás and Thiago entering the game after fifteen minutes in the second half, Barcelona seemed to regain the control of the match. A shot by Nolito was held. Ten minutes before the end of the match a great run on the right wing followed bu a good cross lead to the opening goal by Tino. Barcelona tried to score the equalizer but a powerful shot of Thiago went wide and five minutes in extra-time a good chance by Nolito was saved.

Luis Enrique said at the press conference after the match that he expexts much more of his players: "It's true that we had a lot of ball possession but there was no intensity, no attitude and no ambition and you cannot win a game like that. We were superior but we only had one real chance: the goal by Maric that was cancelled.

The opponents didn't do much in the first half and in the second they scored out of one of the three or four counter attacks they had. You can't say much about it, you have to congratulate them with the result.

Now we have to learn from our mistakes, I will try to convince the players that motivation is everything. Technically they're all very talented but this doesn't lead to anything if you don't show that on the day of the match."



Miño 6

Córcoles 5
Romeu 4
Joni 4
Espasandín 4

Abraham 4
Xavi Torres 5
Busquets 5

Nolito 6
Maric 4
Jeffren 5

Thiago 5
Longás 4
Rayo 5