La Masia’s Best: Gistau Leads the 1×1 of the Ideal Starting Eleven

Barcelona’s Juvenil B delivered one of the season’s standout performances in Tarragona (2-4), showcasing the talents of cadets Guille and Gistau. Meanwhile, the most significant result of the day was Barcelona’s Infantil A securing victory (0-1) against Espanyol.

Infantil A took a giant leap forward (0-1) in Sant Adrià towards defending their league title. Cadete A dominated effortlessly (0-7) against L’Hospitalet, while Juvenil B displayed brilliance in Tarragona (2-4). Cadete B had a resounding win (5-0) against Calafell, but the most painful result was Infantil B’s defeat (2-3) against Cerdanyola, temporarily losing their leadership. Individually, it was a week of stellar performances from some of La Masia’s most promising players.

Here’s the SPORT-chosen ideal starting eleven, featuring outstanding talent that dazzled on fields across Catalonia:

MAX BONFILL The goalkeeper from Vic conceded two goals against Nàstic but remained composed and solid, playing a key role in Juvenil B’s victory. Bonfill’s height during set-pieces and excellent ball control are valuable assets for the team.

RAÚL EXPÓSITO Cadete B’s first two goals against Calafell were scored by the full-back duo, Pau Bergés and Raúl Expósito. Expósito, a central defender playing as a right-back, not only scored but also showcased defensive concentration, anticipation, and offensive intelligence.

ÁLEX CAMPOS The central defender of Cadete A, playing comfortably in defense against Hospitalet (0-7), also took on the role of a playmaker effectively. Campos displayed efficient and quality ball distribution to midfielders, and he even scored a beautiful goal with a brilliant long-range shot.

ALFREDO RODRÍGUEZ The left-sided central defender of Infantil A played a crucial role in the team’s victory (0-1) against Espanyol. Alfredo’s strength and competitive character led the defense to keep a clean sheet against their fierce rivals, and he contributed significantly with offensive runs.

RUSLAN MBA Mba’s crucial goal against Espanyol secured a 0-1 victory for Infantil A. The left-winger, who joined from Horta at the Juvenile level, showcased speed, power, and skill. Despite playing on the left, Mba’s natural foot is the right, providing versatility to his attacking style.

PEDRO RODRÍGUEZ The Andalusian midfielder was the engine behind a sublime Cadete A, organizing play, linking with teammates, and scoring a magnificent goal with a precise long-range shot. Rodriguez ensures quick and intelligent ball movement, benefiting his teammates.

HUGO GARCÉS Infantil A dominated the derby against Sant Adrià, and Aragonese midfielder Hugo Garcés played a pivotal role. Garcés surprised with physical presence, technical quality, and personality, showcasing a level of maturity beyond his years.

GUILLE FERNÁNDEZ Guille had a stellar weekend, dazzling in Juvenil B’s match against Nàstic (2-4) and making an impact as a substitute in Juvenil A’s game in Huesca. Guille’s presence reinvigorated the team, and he scored a fantastic goal in the latter match.

PEDRO FERNÁNDEZ (‘Dro’) The Galician midfielder had one of his best performances in Cadete A’s 0-7 victory against Hospitalet, scoring three goals and showcasing his dribbling, passing, and shooting abilities.

ÒSCAR GISTAU The Salou-born striker demonstrated how a ‘9’ should play in Tarragona, scoring three impressive goals and constantly troubling Nàstic’s defense. Gistau, with 12 goals between Juvenil B and Juvenil A, displays a style reminiscent of Atlético de Madrid’s Álvaro Morata.

ISMA ZIANI The Moroccan-origin forward scored three of the five goals in Cadete B’s victory against Calafell. Ziani, a sub-15 international for Morocco, entered the game as a substitute and efficiently secured a hat-trick in just six minutes, becoming the team’s top scorer with 10 goals. Cadete B remains tied for the lead with 45 points alongside Cambrils’ Cadete A.