FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.11.2007 12:53

Ten youth products for the derby

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Frank Rijkaard has been forced to turn to Barça B to form a squad to play Espanyol at Montjuïc. Marc Crosas, Botía and Víctor Sánchez have all been named in a list that features 10 home produced players.

There are an alarming number of absences in the Barça squad that makes the short trip up the road to Espanyol this weekend. Frank Rijkaard is missing Henry, Eto'o, Deco, Thuram, Edmílson, Oleguer, Giovani and Sylvinho and has been forced to call up Marc Crosas, Alberto Botía and Víctor Sánchez. That makes 10 local players in the team, with those three joining regular first team players Valdés, Jorquera, Puyol, Iniesta, Messi, Xavi and Bojan.

Crosas is often given the chance to play with the first team, but this will be a new experience for Botía and Sánchez.

Alberto Botía is an 18 year old centre back, noted for his strength and character. Despite his young age he made his Barça B debut last season. Víctor Sánchez, meanwhile, is 20 and a multi purpose midfielder enjoying his first season with the reserves.

Thuram and Giovani have problems

Lilian Thuram and Giovani Dos Santos were both doubts for Saturday and have been left out. The French defender has been struggling with his right thigh and the Medical Services have decided that it would not be wise to ask him to play. Meanwhile, Giovani has injured ligaments in his left ankle and is still finding it painful to kick the ball. He will be undergoing even more intense treatment for the next ten days, when a further evaluation of his progress will be made.