FC Barcelona maintained their perfect run in LaLiga EA Sports with a brilliant 7-0 win over Valladolid in which, once again, Spanish talent led the way for a Barça team that improves game by game under the guidance of Hansi Flick. The Catalans only had four foreign players available against the pucelanos, with three of them being key in the historic thrashing at Montjuïc.
Of the 21 called up by the German coach, only Ter Stegen, Jules Koundé, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were listed as foreigners. The three outfield players scored on Saturday, while the German goalkeeper had a light afternoon to add his first clean sheet of the season. The most striking thing is that the ten footballers on the Barça bench were Spanish, half of them with minutes in the second half. Only Iñaki Peña, Astralaga, Gerard Martín, Pau Víctor and Héctor Fort were left out of the game, with the right-back being the only player without minutes so far in 2024/25 (not including the goalkeepers).
In this sense, Luis de la Fuente is clear: the foundation of the European and Olympic champions is in Barcelona. Up to seven internationals who saw action with La Roja this summer (Cubarsí, Pedri, Lamine, Dani Olmo, Eric García, Ferran and Fermín López) had minutes against Valladolid, with Lamine, Dani and Ferran in star mode thanks to their offensive contribution. Barça's bet on La Masia is undoubtedly a resounding success.
Barça will continue to bet on Spanish talent in 2024/25
While waiting for the returns of Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati and Gavi, Barça will continue to have an absolute majority of Spanish players in its squad for the first half of the season. Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen will be out until January, awaiting the offers that may arrive for both in the next winter transfer market. Both the Uruguayan and the Dane have had options to leave this summer, but their respective injuries hampered any negotiations.
The same happened with Frenkie, although his case is more complex due to his refusal to listen to offers in the last two years. With Ansu and Gavi, Hansi Flick hopes to add two valuable reinforcements in the coming months to face a calendar that will not give a break throughout the season, with the months of October, November and January being the most complex due to the new Champions League format. Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente will keep a close eye on the Blaugrana team, as without a doubt the base of his team will continue to be in Catalonia.