Full back Martín Montoya and midfielder Sergi Roberto have proven excellent members of the Barça B and are considered genuine options to cover the first team’s needs.
Montoya and Sergi Roberto, along with Fontàs and Thiago, being named in a Champions League semi
final squad shows the faith Guardiola has in players produced by the club’s youth system.
A perfect process
They were educated at La Masia, developed their football at the Ciutat Esportiva,
learned the trade in the Miniestadi and are therefore ready to answer the first team call at any
moment.
The Barça youth system offers incalculable value. And Guardiola knows that if ever he is
troubled by injuries or suspensions that he has plenty of players with second division experience
that can serve his needs perfectly.
Versatile full back
Martín Montoya Torralba is a 20 year old right back who can also play
on the left. Fast and powerful, he covers well and is particularly adept at breaking down opposing
counter attacks.
When the team attacks, Montoya makes useful runs and is a provider of crosses, but his
greatest virtues are in defence, where he reads the game brilliantly, and uses his speed and
aggression to wonderful effect.
He has played at the club since the Benjamí B, and is well used to the 3-4-3 system that
requires full backs to play many different roles.
Guardiola handed him his debut at Mallorca earlier this season as a substitute for Adriano.
Montoya has been with Barça B for two seasons.
Attacking midfielder
Sergi Roberto Carnicer is a very different type of player to the typical
Barça central playmaker. The 19 year old doesn’t only pass the ball creatively, but also
makes runs into the area where he is strong in the air and has a powerful shot.
Sergi Roberto is also adept at breaking down the opposition’s play, and although he is
right footed, he can also used his left. This is his second season with the B team, where he also
been played in a more defensive role. He originally came to the club from Nàstic Tarragona, and
then progressed from Cadet B to Cadet A, Juvenil B and A and now Barça B. He made his first team
debut earlier this season against Ceuta in the Copa del Rey.