What We're Reading
'Baby Barca' shines
- Reuters, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 2:36 PM
Having already qualified for the Champions League knockout stage and with its Real Madrid clasico looming on Saturday, Barcelona fielded just one first-team regular (Pedro) in
Tuesday's final Champions League group game against Belarus champion BATE.
Barca, whose starting lineup of field players had an average age of just over 21, won, 4-0. Midfielder
Sergi Roberto, 19, opened the scoring and defender Martin Montoya (20) powered a shot high into the net for a 60th-minute second before Pedro (24) scored the third
with an audacious flick. Pedro then converted a penalty after a foul on promising winger Isaac Cuenca (20).
"It's not easy fielding seven boys from the second team and
giving the impression of playing well," said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. "And it's not something that happens from one day to the next. It's really nice that they were all able to
participate and it makes us proud.
"They are talented players and I hope they can help Barca in the future."
