Barcelona's youth team, holding 19 Cup titles, is set to compete in the final against Real Betis, a team with four trophies whose last win dates back to 1999. The path to the final was tense: Real Betis pulled a late comeback against Celta Vigo in the semifinals, while Barcelona managed to secure their spot after a dramatic overtime victory over Deportivo, propelled by Nuhu Fofana’s two goals.
The build-up to the final was complicated by numerous injuries affecting Barcelona's main squad. Coach Juliano Bellei had to rely heavily on youth players throughout the season, with seven players being called up to the reserve team just before the match against Deportivo. This created a challenging squad dynamic ahead of the final.
Despite these difficulties, head coach Pol Planas and the players remain optimistic. Planas emphasized the team’s positive mentality and confidence, while players focused on recovering from previous exertions to be ready for the decisive match. Lineup choices will reflect physical readiness given the players’ accumulated minutes.
Regardless of the final's outcome, Barcelona's youth academy remains one of Spain's most successful. Securing another Cup would further cement their reputation as kings of youth football and underscore the strength of La Masia in developing rising stars.
