The latest report from Spanish newspaper AS states that in terms of giving opportunities to homegrown players, Barcelona’s head coach Julian Flick far outshines Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
In the Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade, Barcelona had nine youth-trained players on the field in the final stages of the game, while in Real Madrid’s loss to AC Milan at the Bernabéu, Ancelotti only fielded one player from their own youth system.
Barcelona has now become a model for prioritizing youth-trained players. Since Flick took over, the club’s emphasis on youth development has increased even further, surpassing the era under Xavi. In the match against Red Star Belgrade, the youth-trained players on the field in the final stages included Peña, Domínguez, Gerard Martín, Casado, Fermín López, Gavi, Olmo, Yamal, and Pau Víctor. If Kubalski had not been substituted due to injury, there would have been ten youth-trained players on the field.
Since taking charge, Flick has consistently promoted young talent with notable results. Barcelona is getting closer to achieving the goal of having an entire starting lineup composed of La Masia graduates. Twelve years ago, when Tito Vilanova was in charge, Barcelona achieved a 4-0 away win against Levante with a starting lineup entirely made up of La Masia graduates.
The success of Barcelona’s youth system is best exemplified by Yamal and Kubalski. Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, while Kubalski finished fifth. In contrast, the situation at Real Madrid is somewhat awkward. Since Ancelotti took over, homegrown players have had very few opportunities to play, with only Carvajal being a regular starter, although he is currently injured. In the match against AC Milan, the only youth-trained player in Real Madrid’s starting lineup was Lucas Vázquez, whose performance has been widely questioned. His performances in recent losses to Barcelona and Milan have received significant criticism.
AS points out that in terms of giving opportunities to homegrown players, Barcelona’s head coach Julian Flick has once again outperformed Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
