Two Barcelona youngsters impress Xavi during friendly between first team and reserves

On Thursday, at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, an exciting training match unfolded between the Barcelona first team and their reserve team, Barça Atletic. 

First-team manager Xavi added players who have not been called for their respective national teams alongside promising youth talents. 

The match concluded with the first team prevailing over Barça Atletic with a score of 2-1, courtesy of goals by Sergi Roberto and Nil Caldero. The duo cancelled out Diego’s lone goal for the youth team.

Among those present in the first team were Guille Fernandez and Noah Darvich and SPORT has mentioned that the young duo left a good impression on the manager.

The aforementioned outlet writes that both Fernandez and Darvich ‘generated satisfaction in Xavi’s coaching staff.’

Who else were in the team?

The first team comprised Inaki Pena, Hector Fort, Mamadou Fall Mbacke, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Oriol Romeu, Guille Fernandez, Noah Darvich, Marc Guiu and Juan Hernandez.

It is interesting to note that Mbacke has yet to make an appearance for the first team or even Barça Atletic due to some lingering bureaucratic complications. This gave him a perfect chance to have the taste of first-team action.

Pau Cubarsi, who has been tipped for a possible call-up for the first-team squad in Jules Kounde’s absence, played for the reserves on the day, having become a key player for them this season.

This is why the management chose to keep alterations to Rafa Marquez’s squad at a minimum.

Meanwhile, this match at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper marked the culmination of Xavi’s final training session with the team, as the team prepared to enjoy a well-deserved break owing to the international break.

The Blaugrana squad is set to return to training on Monday, with all the focus now moving to the encounter with Athletic Club at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic which is scheduled for Sunday, October 22