BARCELONA’S STARTING LINE-UP against Celta Vigo last night contained something of a shock, as it did not feature a single graduate from the club’s famed La Masia academy.
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in their La Liga meeting, with Ousmane Dembele and Paco Alcacer both on the scoresheet for the Catalan side.
Coach Ernesto Valverde potentially had one eye on this weekend’s Copa del Rey final against Sevilla, and so rotated his squad, leaving out the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique.
So, for the first time in 16 years, Barca’s side did not feature a single academy graduate, with the likes of big-money signings Dembele, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho instead preferred.
The last time such an event occurred was in 2002, when Barca defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in 2002 with an XI featuring Rivaldo, Luis Enrique, Marc Overmars and Javier Saviola.
Barcelona have enjoyed a successful season so far, and sit 12 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, with their Copa del Rey final date looming.
The Catalan giants, however, were eliminated from the Champions League by Roma, surrendering a 4-1 lead by losing the second leg in Italy 3-0.
Replace one warrior with another. Good.
@Chris Mc: Seanie will right a few things ahead of next season.
@Chris Mc: I’m sure you remember this quote from the 2017 Lions tour: Phil Gifford, from Stuff, who was critical of the Lions style of play in general, referred to Sean O’Brien as “a flanker so tough and hard-edged he’s basically a roll of barbed wire in boots.” Great move by Leinster.
Great signing a great bit of business
No need to clean the toilets in cassidys
@Tony Mcgrath: bit of an insulting remark from a Munster supporter. Check your own coaches for a similar problem.
He might play a few games even. Would love to see it
I thought he was taking the pee ;)
@CAMILA REMONA: bad news for the Dublin homeless
Good project that hopefully works out
Seamus replacing Leamy. I wonder could we persuade Isa to come back and replace Dr. Phil?
RDS busy installing golden showers
Out with the old, in with the new!