FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.04.2008 11:35

Bojan, a derby specialist

Jaume Marcet

Throughout his meteoric rise through the Barça youth sections, Bojan has maintained an excellent scoring record in matches against local rivals Espanyol. In fact, in many cases his goals have been key.

Among the amazing total of more than 800 goals scored by Bojan in the different youth categories, Espanyol have been at the receiving end of some of the most important.

Four goals at the age of 11

In the 2001-2002 season, at the age of 11, Bojan scored four goals in the two derbies between the two clubs. Barça went on to win the title.

Last gasp winner in Sant Adrià

With the “infantil A” team, Bojan had mixed fortune. In the first match between Barça and Espanyol in the Miniestadi he failed to score and Barça lost 1-2. In the last match away to Espanyol, the score stood at 1-1 and Espanyol were on the point of lifting the title. However, Bojan hit the net in time added on to snatch the title for Barça at the last gasp. During the subsequent celebrations in the dressing room – with plenty of anti-Espanyol chanting from his team-mates - he showed remarked maturity for a thirteen-year-old by calling for respect for the defeated local rivals.

Yet more goals

Moving up to “Cadete B”, Bojan produced one of his best ever performances away to Espanyol, scoring a superb hat trick in Sant Adrià. In the following 2005-2006 season he hit two of the six goals scored by the “Cadete A” team against Espanyol to add to the three goals produced by Iago.