Hansi Flick has halted four young Barcelona stars from participating in a historic match to focus on the first team.
FC Barcelona’s Juvenil A team is set to compete in the prestigious U-20 Intercontinental Cup against Flamengo at the Maracana Stadium on August 23, a historic opportunity to claim a rare trophy for the club.
The squad, fresh off their 2024/25 UEFA Youth League triumph, will travel to Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, training at Fluminense’s facilities ahead of the clash.
However, Barcelona’s first-team manager, Hansi Flick, has intervened, preventing four talented youngsters from joining the expedition to Brazil.
This decision underscores his focus on maintaining squad depth amid ongoing registration challenges and a critical La Liga match against Levante on the same day.
The players blocked by Flick are Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, Guille Fernandez, and Jofre Torrents, all promising La Masia graduates currently training with the senior squad, as reported by Diario Sport.
Dro and Jofre played key roles in last season’s Youth League success, with Jofre, a versatile full-back, being particularly influential.
Toni and Guille, meanwhile, have been focused on the B team but have caught Flick’s eye during pre-season.
Their involvement with the first team, including Jofre’s 20-minute stint against Mallorca, has convinced Flick to keep them in Barcelona, prioritizing their availability for domestic fixtures over the youth tournament.
Both strategic and practical concerns drive Flick’s decision.
Barcelona is grappling with unresolved player registrations, with Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji, and Wojciech Szczesny still pending, despite recent progress with Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford.
Losing four players for a week could strain the squad, especially with key first-team stars like Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, and Marc Bernal deemed untouchable.
Hansi Flick views the quartet as reliable options, with at least one likely to feature regularly in matchday squads.
By keeping them, he ensures flexibility while navigating registration hurdles.
While the Juvenil A team, led by Juliano Belletti, remains eager to make history in Brazil, Flick’s stance highlights his commitment to building a robust first team.
The four youngsters, though missing a historic match, are poised for growing roles in Barcelona’s La Liga campaign.
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