Barça’s Response to Astralaga’s Controversial Actions

Ander Astralaga, the goalkeeper for Barça Atlètic, found himself in the midst of controversy after receiving insults in Sabadell. The club’s staff is set to address the issue with him to ensure he refrains from confronting the audience in the future. Thanks to the intervention of the new delegate, Carlos Busquets, the situation in the dressing room tunnel at Nova Creu Alta did not escalate further.

Astralaga played a pivotal role in Barça Atlètic’s victory in Sabadell, making three impressive saves. However, he also grabbed attention for confronting and making gestures towards the crowd at the end of the match. Astralaga returned to play after three months, during which he served as the second goalkeeper for the first team due to Ter Stegen’s absence. Despite Marc Vidal’s outstanding performance, he will continue with the reserves in the upcoming matches, as mentioned by Rafa Márquez.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper faced a tense match, filled with emotion until the end, with the Nova Creu Alta crowd pushing to support the home team. Astralaga received insults and experienced the toughness of the category. His reaction at the end of the match, directing his frustration towards the local fans instead of celebrating the victory with his teammates, raised concerns.

Seeing Astralaga losing control, the Barça staff had to guide him to the dressing room tunnel to prevent further escalation. The role of the new delegate, Carlos Busquets, was crucial in mediating with Sabadell and calming the situation. The club plans to have a conversation with the goalkeeper in the coming days, emphasizing the importance of upholding the values associated with the Barça badge.

The club recognizes that Astralaga may have exploded under pressure but wants him to understand the responsibility that comes with wearing the Barça crest. Iñaki Peña serves as an exemplary figure, demonstrating composure and resilience despite facing hostile environments during his time with the Barça B team.

While Astralaga’s behavior stood out negatively, there were also concerns about the atmosphere at Nova Creu Alta. Mika Faye was close to being hit by a plastic bottle thrown from the stands. The young players’ inexperience and their enthusiastic celebration with a group of ultra Barcelona fans did not contribute to calming the situation.

Although the incident had an unfortunate outcome for all parties involved, the Barça Atlètic management is taking note to ensure their players do not contribute to escalating tensions in challenging matches in the Primera Federación.