FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.09.2009 11:33

Ten stories of the First Division

Jesús Carrillo

Ten players, who only two years ago were playing with the Barça reserve team, have now made their First Division debuts thanks to the support of team coach Pep Guardiola.

Perhaps the most striking example has been midfielder Sergio Busquets. His progress over the past year has been an inspiration to the younger players. Busquets, who played under Guardiola in the reserves, was promoted up to the first team and finally appeared in the Rome final as well as gaining his first full cap for Spain.

Pedro and Jeffren

These two Tenerife born players have also made a name for themselves in the top flight football with Barça. Pedro spent last season moving from the reserves to the first team while Jeffren has also made a number of senior appearances this season and last.

Iago and Crosas

Two players that were part of Guardiola’s promotion winning reserve team are now plying their trade in Italy and Scotland. Iago Falqué joined Juventus last season, making his debut under coach Claudio Ranieri. This season, new coach Ciro Ferrara has once again included him in his senior squad.

Meanwhile, Marc Crosas joined Scottish giants Celtic after a year out on loan to Olympique Lyon.

Chico, Torres, Botía and Sánchez

A further four former Barça reserves have already played in the First Division or will do so this season. Chico, who was a key central defender in Guardiola’s Barça Atlètic, moved to Almería last season and has been a regular in the starting line-ups of both Gonzalo Arkonada and Hugo Sánchez.

Xavi Torres had to wait a bit longer but this year moved to Malaga. He started the first match of the season and scored Malaga’s third goal against Atlético Madrid in the Rosaleda.

Víctor Sánchez was a familiar face in the senior squad last season, playing some part in all three competitions. Last weekend he made his first appearance for Jerez in the First Division.

Finally, Alberto Botía made his Sporting Gijón debut in the Camp Nou on Monday after playing in the First Division for the first time for Barça in the last match of the 2008-09 season.