The Fans Football Blog3

Catalan paper Sport reports that Barcelona Atlètic's season is underway after beginning pre-season training yesterday. The pre-season started a week later than planned after a training camp in Ireland (read more here) was canceled due to lack of players. Several Barça B players had been included in the first team's England tour. (read more here)

The team of 18 players took part in medical and physical tests at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper before participating in the season's first training session. Of the 18 players, only 7 were returning Barça Atlètic players from last season's squad.

For the next part of the pre-season manager Luis Enrique is expected to have back Barça Atlètic players who were a part of the first team's English tour. Espasandin, Rochina, Gai Assulin, Fontas, Montoya, Rueda, Dalmau, Muniesa & Jonathan dos Santos are expected to rejoin Barça Atlètic. While others like Jeffren may continue with the first team in the upcoming U.S. tour.

The only other absences were Thiago Alcantara and Romeu, who are still with the Spanish U19 team at the U19 European Championships. (read more here)

Read more:
The new faces
Barça B - Official: Jaume Sobregrau (Huesca)
Barça B - Official: Ivan Benitez (Las Palmas B)

In an interview with Asturias regional newspaper La Nueva España, Barcelona Athletic manager Luis Enrique (38) has talked about his first month as a coach.






How are things going in your new job?
Good, I'm again fully enjoying football. I have a good team and players with a great future.

You feel comfortable on the bench?
I actually didn't think I would like it this much. I would like to continue coaching, but a coach only depends on the results and he will be judged based upon that.

How does your team play?
We're following the tactics of the first team and the tradition that has been in this club for many years. We play a 4-3-3 system with wingers and trying to always play in a nice and dominant way. The idea is to balance defense and attack and to get a lot stronger by finding the right balance.

You also had an offer from the Spanish football federation (read more here). Why did you choose for Barcelona?
I'm very grateful to the federation and especially to their sports director Fernando Hierro for the confidence, but Barcelona gave me the chance to train at a daily basis and to return to a club I also consider to be my home.

What is the objective of Barça B this season?
We want to try and win every game, in the beginning mainly to really see after ten games what our possibilities are. I don't exclude anything and our performances will show if we have been doing our job properly.

Guardiola sometimes takes away some of your key players.
For me, it's an honour that he promotes a few of my players every week. That's actually the reason why the first team squad is that short. I also have a very short squad so the Juvenil players have options to join us every now and then.

How is Joni López doing?
Good, motivated to get better and adding his experience to the team. He's performing at a good level.

How are you looking forward to the game against Sporting this weekend?
My heart is divided. Sporting has always been my team and Barcelona is my favourite teams amongst the top clubs.

You replaced Guardiola and we suppose you're talking with him about your teams. How is the situation of the first team?
It's a very well-organised and hard-working team with endless attacking possibilities. I'm sure they will play for the trophies this season. The doubtful start will only serve as an extra stimulation.

Read more:
Luis Enrique presented as Barcelona B coach
Barça B - Official: Joni
Luis Enrique to coach Barcelona B