Productive week for FC Barcelona B

Eusebio Sacristán’s Barça B team have spent the last week preparing for the start of their second division campaign at Torremirona, near Girona.

Despite several of the players being absent because they have been training, and even playing matches, with the first team, it’s been an excellent opportunity for the players to spend some time together, and for the new inclusions to adapt to their new club.

New-look squad

Munir, Suárez, Ondoa, Joel Huertas, Maxi Rolón and Godswill have all been made permanent members of the B team, and there have also been five new signings in Diagné, Gumbau, Juan Cámara, Javier Fernández and Alen Halilovic. “All of these players are adapting perfectly to our idea of playing” said Eusebio.

The schedule also included three friendlies against local clubs. The first resulted in a 2-1 win over l'Escala with goals from Babunski and Tarín. The reserve team then lost 1-0 to UE Olot, and finished the week with a comfortable 8-0 win in a training match with FC Navata, the club based in the town where the team are staying.

The only negative side to the week has been the leg injury suffered by Sergio Juste against l’Escala, and which sees him side-lined for six to eight weeks.

The players also took time out from their work to enjoy the excellent sports facilities at Torremirona, and to go on a daytrip to Figueres to visit the famous Salvador Dalí museum.

Two more friendlies

Eusebio is delighted with the progress made this week, saying that “we have got the players ready, both in terms of fitness and tactics.” Following the departure of some of the ‘veterans’ in the squad, Barça has an extraordinarily young reserve team. “We’ll have to keep working to instil the kind of maturity that this team needs in order to compete” said the manager.

Barça B have two more friendlies, against Lleida Esportiu and Llagostera before their first official game of the season, against Osasuna on August 23.