Barça’s Juvenil A did not dwell long on their Youth League exit against Maccabi Haifa: despite dominating much of the match, they were eliminated on penalties. Days later they responded by beating Espanyol 4-1 in the Dani Jarque tournament.
Yesterday the team faced Las Palmas in the Copa quarterfinals to secure a place in the Final Four. A solitary goal decided the game — a 1-0 win courtesy of Pedro Villar — and sent Pol Planas’s side two matches away from the season’s top prize.
The coach explained the club’s approach: players can have 24 hours to feel disappointed, but then the defeat must serve as a lesson and attention should turn forward. He highlighted that the team managed the 1-0 lead in ways they had not done previously, which is valuable learning as they prepare for tougher tests.
Barça will meet Deportivo in the semi-finals on March 10 or 11. The other semi will be contested by Celta and Real Betis — the Andalusians ousted Real Madrid at Valdebebas. Winning the league would qualify the youngsters for the Copa de Campeones, a competition they missed last season.
In the league, Planas’s side sit alone at the top, four points clear of Espanyol after having already played both head‑to‑head fixtures. A domestic title would therefore open the door to continental silverware for the academy.
The squad also celebrated the return of 17‑year‑old goalkeeper Iker Rodríguez, one of the academy’s big prospects. Up front, Baba Kourouma stood out and so did the versatile Guillem Víctor. Pau’s brother has started two consecutive matches as a central defender, despite normally being a right‑back and having featured on the left or even as a winger; he said he does not mind where he is deployed.
From the defensive list, Hafiz Gariba picked up an injury during the Youth League and currently wears a splint on his right knee. Àlex Campos remains involved with the club’s filial dynamics. The Juvenil A must juggle the needs of the first team and the B team when allocating players.
Key attackers Sama Nomoko and Uri Pallàs watched the match from the stands. Planas stressed that the academy’s primary role is to prepare players to be ready when called up to higher levels, while still pursuing the secondary objective of accumulating trophies at youth level.
