Flick turns to La Masia: 13 youth players feature in Barcelona preseason friendly

Published Aug 2, 01:15 AM UTC

Barcelona's preseason preparations have been disrupted by the World Cup, with 15 first-team players away on international duty. Coach Hansi Flick turned to La Masia, calling up 16 youth academy players plus Hamza. In a friendly against Birmingham City, Flick used 22 players, 13 from the youth system, including several making their first-team debuts. Flick praised the young players' attitude and potential, emphasizing La Masia's excellent work and the need to support their development. The article highlights the depth of Barcelona's youth talent pool and Flick's trust in the academy during a challenging preseason.