Taking a gander at the Segunda-A tables in Spain this year (as I am wont to do), I have consistently observed Barcelona's B team hovering near the top of the table. As of this writing they are in 3rd place, though by rule they cannot be promoted to the same division as the senior team. Such results at this late stage imply a definite quality in the ranks.
It is not suprising that B-team results are a leading indicator for the senior team. The last time a B-team finished in the Top 3 of the second division was Real Madrid in 1983, anchored by none other than the famous Quinta del Buitre. In 65 appearances with the B-team over 2 seasons, culminating in 1983, Emilio Butragueño scored 37 goals. Promoted to the senior team in all together the following season, the quintet won 5 league championships and two Uefa Cups in the 1980's.
Normally, B-teams are not even good enough for Segunda. Real Madrid's B-team is currently in the next division, Segunda-B. Their last trip to Segunda proper was in 2006, propelled by talents like Esteban Granero, Ruben de la Red, Alvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado, and a promising goalkeeper named David Cobeño who apparently is about to lead Rayo Vallecano back into the Primera. Castilla spent only 2 years in Segunda-A, getting the drop after the players named above had moved on to bigger and better things.
Many of Barca B's players are ready for for prime time, and some - notably Thiago Alcantara - regularly travel with the first team. But with players like Bojan unable to get much game action, the stalwart B-team players have been asked to remain with the B-team for the duration of the season. In the short term, they will likely have to go on loan to get regular top level football. But in the long term, there are players seen as potential replacements for Xavi and Puyol.
Note: Villarreal B is also in Segunda-A, which is a fantastic achievement for such a small club who, until 1999, didn't even have a reserve team. I'd like to delve into the management of the club in a future post because it is really a shining example of how to succeed despite limited resources.
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