FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.12.2007 11:30

Twelve intense months for Bojan and Giovani

Jaume Marcet

2007 has seen the emergence of two of the pearls of the azulgrana youth squad. In the last twelve months Bojan and Giovani have risen from playing in the 2nd division B to be competing for a place in the first team.

A year ago Bojan and Giovani had only one aim – keeping Barça B up. Although they scored 16 goals between them it wasn’t enough to prevent relegation but the development of the players couldn’t have been more positive.

Gio – an alternative on the wing

The development of Giovani Dos Santos through Barça’s lower ranks was rewarded with a promotion to the first team squad at the close of the 2006-2007 season. The Mexican had already made his first team debut during pre-season the previous year and his pace and skill were enough to convince Rijkaard. Gio took part in the U-20 World Cup in the summer and then soon after made his full international debut under Hugo Sánchez. He was top scorer in pre-season and is now a great choice for either wing in the Barça attack. He has played in twelve of the seventeen league games played so far and in three champions League games, scoring one goal.

Bojan – a talent with an eye for goal

2007 will be a year to remember for Bojan. The boy from Linyola began the year as one of the last to make his debut for a Barça B in crisis. In little more than half a season the Lérida native scored 10 goals in the 2nd division B, a splendid haul for a player still only sixteen years old.

In March the Europe U-18 side played in the Mini Stadium against a combined African side in the Meridian Cup. Bojan excelled in the two games. At international under age level Bojan was successful with the under 17s, winning the European championships, and then finishing runner-up in the World Cup – all this in only four months. Iñaki Saez then made him the youngest player ever at under 21 level.

His first contact with the Barça first team came in a friendly in Egypt and he only needed 45 minutes to score. After shining during pre-season Bojan is slowly entering into Rijkaard’s plans and is showing his talent by scoring important goals. With 353 minutes under his belt, spread over thirteen games, Bojan has scored two goals. He also scored in Alcoyano in the King’s Cup which only leaves the Champions League in which he has to make his mark.