Video of the day: Los canteranos in Nike campaign
Credits: M10
Liga 1, Week 24: Denia 1-0 Barcelona Atlètic
Barça Atlètic conceded an early goal away to Denia and despite controlling most of the game could not find a way through the packed local defence.
Barça Atlètic will go into next weekend’s match against the league leaders with a 12-point deficit. The defeat against Denia combined with Sant Andreu’s victory against Badalona (2-1) means that the Barça reserves are now third with 47 points, a point behind Benidorm in second place.
Early goal
Thiago and Jonathan return to Barca Atletic
The two January ‘signings’ of Pep Guardiola for the first team, have returned to the reserves. Thiago Alcantara (18) and Jonathan dos Santos (19), were both seen training under the command of Luis Enrique at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday morning and will be available for Barca Atletic’s next game against third division club Denia.
Earlier this year Pep Guardiola called up the two midfielders, along with Victor Vazquez (22) and Gai Assulin (18), to cover up the absences during the African Cup of Nations. Gai and Vazquez spent two weeks with the first team before eventually returning to the reserves, while Thiago and Jonathan continued for two more weeks (read more here).
The return of Keita and Touré from the Africa Cup of Nations, in good condition and the recovery of Sergio Busquets from the left kidney brusing he suffered, eventually led to the return of both the homegrown youngsters to the reserves as their chances to gain minutes with the first team have decreased considerably. Guardiola feels its better for the duo to continue accumulating minutes with the reserves rather than staying inactive for too long.
The Genesis of ‘four’: Barcelona’s impact on the beautiful game
This is a featured post. Please scroll down for all the latest news.
author: Didac Peyret
source: Soccernet
date: 02 February 2010
editing: totalbarca
Arsene Wenger believes that top clubs have to make compromises to ensure they play in their own recognisable style – he believes clubs have no hope of making their mark on history without implementing a clear philosophy on the field. For Wenger, the biggest and best sides have a responsibility to the game and must show others what can be achieved.
Everybody has now seen the success of such a model in place at Barcelona. Bringing together an unlikely mixture of art and efficiency, Barca have shown that it is possible to break away from the cautious tactics that have characterised the modern game to win every trophy available to them in 2009.
Youth players take part in wednesday training
Only seven players from the senior squad took part in a training game on Wednesday along with players from the reserves and the youth team.
Although Wednesday was a day off for the first team, seven players who feature rather less frequently in the starting line-ups took the chance to get in some extra practice together with youngsters from the reserves and the youth team.
First team players
Barcelona closing deals for Pique and young quartet
Barcelona chiefs are in advanced talks with central defender Gerard Pique (22) over a new contract.
Guardiola and eight other players namely Victor Valdes, Yaya Touré, Pedro Rodriguez, Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi, Eric Abidal, Andres Iniesta and Rafa Marquez have already renewed this year and now the ‘operation shield’ (as called in the Spanish media) will continue with the renewals of Piqué and the other homegrown youngsters.
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo says Pique is set to sign a new deal that will run until 2015 with his new buyout clause being set to £150 million.
European clubs interested in Jeffren, Gai, JDS and Thiago services
According to Catalan sports paper Sport, FC Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain is currently working on the future of four players whose career path with the first team is still undecided. The said players are Jeffren Suarez (22) who has yet to renew his first team contract – which expires at the end of the season, while Jonathan dos Santos (19), Thiago Alcantara (18) and Gai Assulin (18) are still on Barcelona reserves contract – also expiring in June, and have yet to sign any new contract with the club.
As reported by the paper, as per FIFA regulation, these players are free to negotiate with any clubs six months before their contracts end – that is since from 1 January 2010.
Fran Sanchez: “Thiago is a virtuoso”
The first coach of Thiago Alcántara at La Masia, Francesc Sanchez Bas, stresses the potential of the young midfielder. According to Fran, “Thiago is the finest example of virtuosity with the ball.” Thiago Alcantara’s debut as a starter in an official match against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou might have been subdued due to the defeat, but the midfielders playing was one of the most positive aspects of the first leg of the round of sixteen of the Copa Del Rey.
Thiago Alcantara signed for Barça in 2005 at the age of 14 along with his brother Rafa Alcantara (16), who is currently plying his trade in the Juvenil A side just two steps away from the first team. Fran was the coach of that team which included great talents like, Thiago Alcantara, Gai Assulin, Marti Riverola, Marc Barta, Martin Montoya, Ruben Rochina, Dani Pacheco, among others.
Thiago: “I hope this can continue”
Just like Jonathan dos Santos (19) – who was praised by everyone for his performance on his debut on Saturday, there were also good remarks levelled at Thiago Alcantara (18) for his composed display on Tuesday despite the defeat.
The Brazilian-born player, in his first official match for the first team, started the match alongside Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez in midfield. Against Sevilla, one of the top teams in Spain, it was sort of a trial by fire for the young player. He played for 70 minutes before being replaced by the player he hopes to emulate, Xavi Hernandez.
A match that will always be remembered by him, Thiago reminisce about the moment, “I only found out that I would be in the starting eleven a few minutes before the match, and I was not expecting it.”
Guardiola: “The 4 canteranos chances of staying with us depend on their performances”
In one session of the press conference yesterday, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola touched on the 4 cantera players’ potentials – Barca Atletic’s players that he enlisted as covers for the month of January. His message to them was clear: “Seize the opportunity and make full use of it.”
Guardiola ruling out any winter signings
Despite persistent rumours to the otherwise, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is again reiterating that he is satisfied with the players that he has, and insists he can always summon Barca Atletic’s players to cover for any short-falls in the squad – as is the case during this African Nations Cup tournament period.
“If it was necessary, I probably would have considered signing someone, but for a month, it is not worth it. I am well served, I can’t complain. I have a good squad that can always be supplemented with reserve players. For a month, I prefer to give them a chance, and I know they will do well,” was his answer to a question during a press conference earlier today.
Confident that the cantera players can fill in for absences of Malian Seydou Keita and Ivorian Yaya Toure, Guardiola said Jonathan dos Santos (19) and Thiago Alcantara (18) will remain with the first team throughout the month of January as he has “great faith” in them. The coach is also enlisting the services of Victor Vazquez (22) and Gai Assulin (18), who were invited to train along, but will only be used when he needs them.
(UPDATE) Four Atletic’s players told to report for first team training
UPDATE
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that all the Americas players are now back in Barcelona except for Argentine Lionel Messi, who is given four extra days off by Pep Guardiola, and who still carries a slight discomfort in his right ankle. The last to arrive is Brazilian right-back Dani Alves, and he is expected to join the training session this afternoon, even though all players coming from across the Atlantic are not required to.
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(UPDATE) Atletic’s trio summoned during 2010 African Nations Cup
UPDATE
There seems to be some confusion over the third Barca Atletic member being summoned by Pep Guardiola with El Mundo Deportivo - as reported below – claiming Victor Vazquez (22) as the the player chosen, while the other Catalan sports paper Sport expecting Oriol Romeu (18), another midfield player.
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Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that Barca Atletic’s midfielders Víctor Vazquez (22), Thiago Alcántara (18) and Jonathan Dos Santos (19) are the three reinforcements from the Barcelona Reserve side summoned by first team coach Pep Guardiola during the jam-packed month of January when he will be short of midfielders.
The Match: Valencia Mestalla – FC Barcelona Atletic 1-1
LIGA 1, WEEK 18:
FC Barcelona Atletic managed only to draw their away game against Valencia Mestalla, who currently occupy the last place in the standings. Luis Enrique’s men failed to achieve victory against a team, that fought hard to earn their single point.
The Barcelona players enjoyed a high possession game, while Valencia were confined to defending for large parts of the game, which was played at their home ground. Despite controlling the game, the Barcelona players failed to create any clear chances in the initial stages of the game.
However, this changed gradually as the game went on, and in the 26th minute FC Barcelona open up the scoring. Fontas unleashed a superb shot outside the box, after a great cross from Rueda, which went behind the Valencia keeper.
Liga 1, Week 17: Barcelona Atlètic 4-0 Terrassa
Barça Atlètic have attained their eighth consecutive victory after beating Terrassa 4-0 with goals from Soriano, Armando and Thiago, as well as a ninth-minute own-goal from Canet.
Barça dominated from the outset, but Terrassa looked strong and prevented Barça from getting near the goalmouth.
Early goal
The first goal came in the ninth minute, when Terrassa player Canet put the ball into his own net after a cross from Jonathan Dos Santos.
A first-half fright
Liga 1, Week 16: Lleida 1-2 FC Barcelona Atlètic
Barça Atlètic have racked up their second victory of the week after beating Lleida away. Nolito snatched the winner in the last minute after Soriano had got the first in the 32nd minute.
Barça Atlètic are going great guns in Second Division B and have beaten Lleida 2-1. The side showed they were up for the game right from the kick off as they put pressure on the home team’s goal and continued their run of excellent results.
Barça show superiority
Liga 1, Week 13: FC Barcelona Atlètic 2-1 Alicante
Note: This game was originally to be played on 15th November 2009 but was later postponed to 2nd December 2009, due to a chronic shortage of players due to injuries and international commitments.
Barca Atlètic chalked up their sixth consecutive win with 2-1 victory over Alicante at the Mini Estadi on Wednesday night, which takes them up into the play-off spots and just 2 points behind first-placed Mallorca B.
Luis Enrique and Joan Barberá’s young team are in top form right now, not having lost since the 7th round of games, when they lost to Sant Andreu, and having won their last six games on the trot.
Liga 1, Week 14: Vila-Joiosa 0-1 FC Barcelona Atletic
Barça Atlètic won their seventh game of the season at Vila-Joiosa thanks to a goal in injury time. They left it late, having squandered several chances to settle the win earlier on.
Luis Enrique’s side are in the top half of the table with seven wins and 24 points, with a game in hand, after this important win on the road at Vila Joiosa.
First threats
Barça went straight onto the attack from the outset. Playing in a well-structured formation, it was Benja (20) who produced the first threat against the Valencia based side by making a penetrating run through the defence, but his one on one with the goalkeeper saw Nico turn the ball behind for a corner.
Youth: Jonathan and Thiago to sign new Atletic contract, Gai unsure
Right after the signing of Rafael Marquez’s contract extension next week, FC Barcelona Technical Secretary, Txiki Begiristain is set to work on the contracts of three of Barca Atletic’s main jewels; midfielders Thiago Alcantara (18), Jonathan dos Santos (19) and forward Gai Assulin (18), whose contracts are set to expire on June 30, 2010, reports Catalan sports paper Sport.
Thiago and Jonathan’s contracts have already been prepared for weeks without any major hiccups in the negotiations, and only need to find a suitable date to make them official.
Liga 1, Week 9: FC Barcelona Atlètic 1-1 Alcoyano
Barca Atletico have have drawn their ninth game of the season against Alcoyano on Saturday at the Mini Estadi.
Many players missing
As has been the case so far this season Luis has again not been able to count on many of his troops. Marc Muniesa (17) and Sergi Roberto (17) were on international duty with the Spain U-17 while Thiago Alcantara (18), Victor Vazquez (22), Jonathan Soriano (22) have being out injured. Luis Enrique decided to replace young Marc Muniesa, Sergi Roberto with Andreu Fontas (19) who himself has just got back from Spanish U-20 duty and Ilie Sanchez (19) respectively.
Alcoyano opens the scoring
Alcoyano opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of the game with a goal by Victor Curto after a defensive mistake due to the lack of understanding between new defensive pairing Fontas (19) and Bartra (18). The reserves reacted quickly and showed first signs of warning in the 7th minute, as Joanthan Dos Santos (19) played Nolito (23) with a great through ball but he could not finish.
Luis Enrique recovers his troops
Barca Atletic face UD Logrones in Matchday 8 of the 2b division this Sunday in Logrono. Oriol Romeu (18) and Andreu Fontas (19) return from their Spain U-20 duties, Benja (20) has been given his medical green light after returning from injury, Martin Montoya (18) has been cleared of the red card he has received against Sabadell after being found not guilty, while Jonathan Dos Santos (19) returns from his first Mexico call up. Ruben Rochina has been called back to the squad to replace the injured Jonathan Soriano, after he has been gaining experience with the Juvenil A youth side.
Having had many players missing so far during this campaign due to various reasons, Luis Enrique has rarely been able to call his full squad and its no different this time as four players are still missing. Thiago Alcantara (18), Jonathan Soriano (22) and James Sobregrau (24) are sidelined due to various injuries, while Gai Assulin has been called up for the Israel U-21 selection.
