On the day that Johan Cruyff Stadium, hosted its 50th match after it opened for public in the summer of 2019. 2021 starts well for La Masia, as Barcelona B won their 4th game in a row beating Badalona and keeping their winning streak in Segunda B division. After 10 matches Barça B is in the second position in the group and fighting for promotion.
The Match:
It took only 6 minutes for the team to take the lead against Badalona. A well put cross from Konrad saw Badalona’s player Roger deflect the ball into his own net.
In the 15th minute a tremendous intervention from Collado, reached Konrad who gave it Moriba, eventually laying off the ball to Lucas de Vega with his shot saved by Badalona goalkeeper Alex Sanchez. A few moments later Arnau Tenas saved a potential equalizer by Nestor, maintaining the lead for the B team.
Second Half
It took a while for Barça B to find another goal, with a good Badalona defensive work. However, in the 68th minute, an outstanding combination play between Collado and Rey Manaj saw Barcelona take a 2-goal lead, with Manaj getting his first assist of the season.
4 minutes after the goal Badalona lost their first player to a red card, with Alex sent off for a foul on Rey Manaj outside the box. After that Barcelona took advantage of playing against a 10-man team dominating the ball and chances. Eventually a foul by Barcelona loanee Josep Jaume saw him getting sent off and Barcelona receiving a penalty call with Manaj scoring his penalty to make it 3-0. In the 90th minute, Jandro Orellana almost scored a golazo with a long shot outside the box. However, his shot was outstandingly saved by Badalona’s goalkeeper Francisco. It looked like Barcelona B won their game 3-0, but Alex Collado managed to score an Olimpic goal just before the whistle. Meanwhile casually warning the linesman that he will score from the corner before he did, ending the game 4-0.
Barça B now will face Nastic Tarragona, who are the leaders of the group, in a chance that could see Barcelona jump to first place.
My Barcelona B player of the match: Alex Collado
Juvenil A – Mallorca:
Line-up:
The Match:
After suffering a defeat against group leader Espanyol before the Christmas break, Juvenil A is back and fighting for the league. This time they faced Mallorca. The team didn’t disappoint winning the game 2-1, however they could have scored much more than that. A first opportunity came right away in the second minute of the game.
A great run from Ilias Akhomach opened enough space for the team to find Angel on the right, who eventually passed by to Ilias. Unfortunately, Ilias shot was saved on the line by Mallorca defender, keeping the score 0-0. In the 5th minute, an excellent defensive effort by Ilias wins the ball back in the opponent half, finding Angel in a good through ball pass, however, his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Finally, in a few moments, Juvenil opens the score with some great pressuring by Angel, who won the ball and passed it to Lopez scoring the first goal of the match.
Just before half-time, a great ball from Jaume Jardi reached Diego Lopez, but the latter couldn’t put Angel 1v1 against the goalkeeper with a poor pass.
Second Half
Into the second half It didn’t take too long for Juvenil A to score the second goal. A great long ball from Jaume Jardi reached Angel Alarcon, whose shot ended up in the back of the net making it 2-0 for the youngsters.
The opposition got back into the game with a penalty. A poor tackle from summer signing Moussa Ndiaye led Mallorca to receive a penalty in their favour, however, a good save from Ramon Vila kept Barcelona with 2 goal lead. In the 74th minute, a great run from Mallorca right-back opened enough space for him to cross it into the box. Eventually reaching their number 7, who put Mallorca back into the game.
Juvenil A best chance after a long time came in 89th minute with an astonishing lob pass from Txus Alba to Luzzi, however, he couldn’t get enough contact with the ball. Making it an easy save for the goalkeeper. Barcelona youngsters win their first game of 2021 in a hard-fought match. Now they will face Europa on Saturday.
My Juvenil A player of the match: Ángel Alarcón
Juvenil B – Sants:
Line-up:
The Match:
After a heartbreaking defeat against Sant Andreu before Christmas break, Juvenil B wanted to start the new year positively. They did after beating Sants 6-0 in Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper stadium. In the first half youngster dominated the ball throughout the game, despite the heavy rain. Only in 34th minute, Juvenil B managed to open the scoring. A good solo run by Jordi Coca, who crossed the ball into the box reaching Josep Cerda, putting the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Just before half-time Barcelona managed to make it 2-0. Aleix Garrido managed to spin an opponent and pass it to Jordi Coca. Jordi made a great run into the box losing his marker and finished the chance into the top corner.
Second Half
In the second half, Juvenil B didn’t drop their intensity and scored their third goal of the match just 6 minutes into the half. A simple pass from Barbera to Caravaca, with Toni deciding to shoot outside the box. A low driven shot accurately put into bottom left corner saw the ball roll into the goal. A poor tackle from Sants defender on Josep Cerda saw Barcelona win a penalty, with Cerda taking it.
Without any hesitation, Josep Cerda sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his second of the match and 5th goal this season. Making him the top scorer in the youth teams. Just substituted right-winger Juanda Fuentes managed to get 1 goal and 1 assist within 4 minutes time period. A great cross that reached Capdevilla, who scored the 5th goal of the match, getting Juanda his assist. And in the 77th minute a great run from the left-back Valle, put Juanda in the right position to let him shoot leaving no chance for the goalkeeper to save it.
A beautiful goal finishing the match 6-0 to earn Juvenil B deserved 3 points. The team was supposed to face Cornella this weekend, however, it was postponed and the next match will be played on 24th of January. Juvenil B is at the top of the group with a one-point lead over Sant Andreu. They will face them again just before the start of February, in a decisive match.
My Juvenil B player of the match: Jordi Coca
