Of the 30-man squad Hansi Flick took to Birmingham for the pre-season training camp, 18 were La Masia products. Nine of them made their first-team debuts in Friday's opening pre-season friendly against Birmingham City: Áron Yaakobishvili, Jordi Pesquer, Brian Fariñas, Orian Goren, Ebrima Tunkara, Ibrahim Diarra, Hamza Abdelkarim, Álex González and Shane Kluivert. Including summer signing Karim Adeyemi, the match featured a total of 10 first-team debutants.

Adeyemi impresses

Karim Adeyemi, unveiled as a Barça player just a week ago, made his debut in Hansi Flick's starting XI. After only a few days of training with his new teammates, the Munich-born forward played the opening 45 minutes, showing the pace and directness that make him such a dangerous attacking threat.

Abdelkarim: braced for success

Hamza Abdelkarim could hardly have asked for a better debut, scoring twice in his 62 minutes on the pitch. He opened his account from the penalty spot after winning the spot-kick himself before taking advantage of a goalkeeping error after the break to score Barça's second. The striker joined the club's U19 side midway through last season, scoring six goals in nine appearances.

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‘Yaako’ shines in the shootout

Goalkeeper Áron Yaakobishvili came on in the 62nd minute and played a decisive role in the post-match penalty shootout, saving two spot kicks. The Hungarian, who spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Andorra, also became the youngest goalkeeper ever to debut for Hungary's senior national team earlier this summer.

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Pesquer debuts at left-back

Jordi Pesquer replaced Jofre Torrents at left-back and impressed, particularly going forward, although he was unfortunate to miss his penalty in the shootout. A Barça player since the youngest of ages, he also represented Spain alongside Ebrima Tunkara at this summer's U17 World Cup.

Tunkara's latest milestone

At just 16 years of age, Ebrima Tunkara was the youngest player in Barça's squad in England and started in midfield. After making five appearances for Barça Atlètic last season, he arrived for preseason on the back of being named Player of the Tournament at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Brian Fariñas adapts at right-back

Usually a midfielder, Brian Fariñas made his debut at right-back after coming on in the 62nd minute. The Barça Atlètic vice-captain joined the club from Villarreal eight years ago and enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 campaign, contributing five goals and five assists.

Orian Goren shows class

Seventeen-year-old Orian Goren replaced Marc Casadó just after the hour mark. The versatile midfielder, who made the step up to the U19 side last season, featured in 36 matches, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Quality half from Diarra

Ibrahim Diarra came on at half-time for his long-awaited first-team debut. The Malian playmaker had been close to breaking into the senior side last summer before fitness troubles intervened, and after an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign, finally made his first appearance under Flick.

Like father like son

Shane Kluivert made his first-team debut after being named in the starting XI on the left wing. The son of former Barça striker Patrick Kluivert, Shane joined La Masia nine years ago and has progressed through every age group. Capable of playing across the front line, he made 23 appearances for Barça Atlètic last season.

Gistau up front

Óscar Gistau came on in the 62nd minute to replace Abdelkarim as the centre-forward. The 18-year-old has endured two injury-disrupted seasons but still managed to make seven appearances for Barça Atlètic last season.

Àlex González's constant threat

Álex González entered on the left wing in the 62nd minute and twice came close to scoring the winner. Signed from Damm, the winger netted 18 goals last season despite operating primarily from the left flank, and marked his first-team debut with an energetic display.

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