Andreu Fontàs, promoted to the first team for the rest of the season, recently spoke to Barça TV. The defender is taking his ascent to the first team with ease, ”wishing to add [something to the team] and provide whatever is needed.” The player from Banyoles believes that this challenge has come “at the ideal time, I am ready.”

“The day after Abidal’s tumour was made known, Guardiola called me and told me that until the end of the season I was joining the first team.” This is the simple manner in which Fontàs received the news of the decision to promote him to the first team.

Fontàs played against Alcorcón (2-0) in what could possibly be his last game with the reserves, though he assures that “I will always be available if they need me.”

Guardiola and Luis Enrique had agreed that the defender would go back to play with the B team this past weekend, taking into account the break for the first team. Andreu acted as the defensive midfielder in front of the two central defenders in the 2-0 victory. 

After playing on Tuesday with the Spanish Under-21 against Belarus (1-1), again acting as the defensive midfield pivot, Fontàs will focus on the opportunity of taking part in the first team, a fact that Andreu considers “a dream come true“.

Once his promotion was confirmed, Fontàs did not hesitate in assuring that he is “prepared to add [all I can] and to contribute hard work and commitment.” This opportunity comes with his 21 years and “with the great experience of playing these past months in the second division.” In his third year with the reserves, the player notes that he has learned a lot: “The second division A is more competitive that the second division B [Spain's third tier] and that has given me more experience,” the defender affirms.