The Barça B manager says that he has a team “with a lot of quality,” but he cautioned that “we need to make the group competitive.” The reserve side will kick off its Segunda División campaign at 19.00 at the Miniestadi, against Almería
Eusebio will not be able to call on Kiko Femenía and Ayala, both of whom are recovering from injuries to their left ankles, and Edgar Ié, who is recovering from a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot
Barça B names its captains
The Barça B players named the new captains for the 2012/13 season. Ilie, Oier, Planas, Sergi Gómez and Masip, in that order, will now represent the the reserve side players.
Barça B will begin its Segunda División campaign this Friday, at 7:00 PM, at the Miniestadi against Almería. Eusebio Sacristán admitted that his players are eager to start the official season, after putting in multiple weeks of training and going undefeated in the pre-season. “We’re very excited to start the season,” said the manager, who was quick to highlight the quality of the players at his disposal. “We’re very pleased with the team we have and we’re eager for the season to start. We’re prepared and confident that we can start [the season] on the right foot.”
When asked to analyse his team, Eusebio said that “they are a great group with a lot of quality players, but we have to try and make them competitive. They are very young and the important thing is to meld all of these players in such a way to achieve the desired outcome.”
Three absences on Friday
For tomorrow’s match, Eusebio will not be able to call on Kiko Femenía and Ayala, both of whom are recovering injuries to their left ankles. These two players are joined by Edgar Ié, who is recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot and will be out of action for at least three months. In addition, neither Cristian Tello nor Sergi Roberto trained with the team this Thursday, both players are scheduled to train with the first team. Eusebio explained that he’s intent on continuing the reserve side’s policy of reinforcing Tito Vilanova’s team. The Barça B manager made special mention on Seri Roberto: “I hope he can continue his stay with the first team, because he’s been with the reserve side for a couple of years and his level of play is very high. He’s responding well and he proving that he’s ready to play with the first team.”
Castilla – Barça B, August 25, at 21.00
The schedules for the second and third matchdays of the Segunda División were confirmed this Thursady morning. Barça B will play away to Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve side, on Saturday, August 25, at 21.00. The following week, Barça B will face Sabadell on September 2nd, at 18.00, at the Miniestadi. Eusebio is aware that the match against Castilla “creates a lot of expectation, but we’re focused on Almería right now, they are a great opponent and they had a very good pre-season.”