Barcelona showcase Barca Atletic youngsters in preseason friendly win over Man City

Orlando, FL – The FC Series never disappoints, bringing the best European football clubs to the American audience. The potential Champions League final matchups always fill up stadiums stateside. Tuesday, we saw FC Barcelona take on Manchester City in a preseason friendly. Both have won Champions League titles in the last 10 seasons, with Barça last doing so in the 2014-15 season and City finally doing so in the 2022-23 season. However, on Tuesday it was youngsters vs veterans as Barcelona started a squad made up of almost entirely Barca Atletic talent, and Man City took the opportunity to get some of their veterans ready for the kickoff of the Premier League.

Old and New Faces

Notable starters for Man City were Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, and Joško Gvardiol. The Barça youngsters did well keeping a fragmented Haaland at bay. It was later revealed that Erling is nursing some muscular discomfort, but Pep and his crew are managing his minutes, training, and rehab to get him fit for the season opener. However, he still looked good enough to take a shot, which VAR might’ve given his way. VAR isn’t a thing in pre-season friendlies.

Why did VAR deny the goal from Erling Haaland 🤯🙆 #Paris2024 #GOLD #OlympicGames #Olympics #ManCity #football #soccer pic.twitter.com/F4gMG412fm

— Sport_house_entertainment (@Sport_house7) July 31, 2024

For Barcelona, Sergi Domínguez, at just 19 years old, was tasked with shutting down Haaland. He did well for the most part, but a fit Haaland wouldn’t have been so forgiving inside the penalty area. He’s young, and still building up his body for one of the more physically demanding positions on the pitch. Barca might have to rely on him for added depth at the position since Ronald Araujo is set to miss half the season after opting for surgery to fix his hamstring injury. Marc Bernal (17 years old) and Marc Casado (20 years old), or the Marc’s Brothers, as I like to call them, were clinical in midfield. Watching them, you have to keep reminding yourself that these are still kids out there. Having these diamonds in Barca B, ready to suit up for the senior squad, makes transfer window negotiations much simpler when you don’t have to give away any of your leverage.

#FCBarcelona open up the scoring with a sweet flick from Casado to Pau Victor!#FCSeries | #BarçaCitypic.twitter.com/og2RBmAVq3

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) July 31, 2024

Barca B Scoring…

Out front, Pau Victor and Pablo Torre showed their class, each scoring goals. Pau Victor was on loan from Girona in Barca B. However, according to Sport, a few days before the summer tour he was signed on to stay for a transfer fee of $2.7 million plus variables. That’s a steal! He led Barca B in goals scored last season. Pablo Torre, on the other hand, registered a 100% passing rate in the first half of the match, capping it off with the goal that would give Barca the 2-1 lead going into the half.

Pablo Torre gives #Barça the lead over #ManCity going into the half. 2-1! #FCSeries | #BarçaCitypic.twitter.com/48sYk15sdp

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) July 31, 2024

Of course, not every young player can make the squad for Barcelona. It’s not looking too good for Vitor Roque. Tigrinho, who couldn’t get anything going on the attack, seems lost in Hansi’s system. He’ll likely have to spend more time in Barca B, or he’ll be moved to another club. It seems increasingly likely that Barça will move on from him as soon as they can.

Anything You Can Do…

Notwithstanding, Barca wasn’t the only team showing off young talent. Man City, despite playing some of their bigger names, started Nico O’Reilly. The 19-year-old homegrown player scored City’s first equalizer and registered a 97% passing accuracy. Pep said postgame that Nico can play with the first team. I expect him to get minutes at some point this season. He’s as big as Haaland and has great ball control. That’s something you rarely see for someone of his size.

Gvardiol showing his skill, finding O’Reilly for #ManCity’s equalizer in 39’. #FCSeries | #BarçaCitypic.twitter.com/m2uwDKmGr4

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) July 31, 2024

The match would end in a penalty shootout after Grealish equalized in 60′. He received a beautiful ball from Kovacic, who ran the ball almost the entire distance of the field. It was in the penalty shootout that Barca goalkeeper, 25-year-old Iñaki Peña would shine, blocking Man City’s first two attempts, and all but clinching Barca’s victory.

Next up, Barcelona face Real Madrid this Saturday at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Man City will play Chelsea, also on Saturday, in Columbus, OH.