Barcelona turn to youth in times of crisis
Like Quique Setién, Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and Louis van Gaal have bet on the youth
Quique Setién has encountered a situation similar to some of those previous inhabitants of the bench before him. He has played Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati, giving the youth a chance, like Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Johan Cruyff did before him.
Looking back, parallels to previous eras can be drawn. It worked brilliantly for Pep Guardiola. He landed on the bench in 2008, played youth and won the treble, which became the sextuple. And a great part of that came through Puyol, Iniesta, Messi and Xavi, adding Busquets and Pedro.
Pep gave his debut to 22 youth players through the four seasons he was there, including Sergi Roberto, Marc Bartra, Thiago and Deulofeu.
Johan Cruyff also showed great sensibility toward the cantera. He gave 32 youth players their debut during seven years as coach.
In the worst moments he turned to the youngsters. In the generation led by Ivan de la Pena, Celades, Oscar, Roger Garcia, Velamazán, Juan Carlos Moreno and Quique Álvarez, among others came through. In the 95-96 season, with Barca winning nothing at that point, the pressure was enormous.
Cruyff turned to the academy, but it didn't save him and Bobby Robson arrived. Josep Lluis Nunez turned to the checkbook, not the cantera.
Van Gaal gave chances to Xavi, Gabri, Luis Garcia, Puyol, Jofre, Nano, Reina and Albert Luque.
In 2002 Gaspart turned to Van Gaal again, and he gave debuts to Víctor Valdés, Oleguer y Andrés Iniesta, let Fernando Navarro play more, and Thiago Motta.
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