Barcelona Continue La Masia Focus in Win over Apoel

It has been an interesting start to the season for Barcelona. The new Luis Enrique era is in full blossom and things are starting to come together for La Blaugrana.

The Catalans have yet to concede a goal in the new campaign and the defense looks like it has new life. Though the overall play is not yet electrifying, the players are getting the job done.

Somewhat surprisingly, Enrique has also put a renewed heavy focus on La Masia by giving young stars chances in the early season.

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The likes of Munir El Haddadi, Sandro Ramirez and Sergi Samper have all made their first-team debuts and are playing at a high level. With the transfer ban now in full effect, the Catalan giants will have to rely more on the academy, and Enrique looks to be doing just that.

Sticking with the youth-focus trend, Enrique yet again fielded a side with starlets when Barcelona hosted Apoel Nicosia on Wednesday in Champions League play. El Haddadi and Samper featured in the starting lineup, while Sandro came on in the second half.

Some may think that these young stars are being pushed into the limelight a bit too quickly, however, they have lived up to the billing to this point. Munir has looked wonderful beside Lionel Messi, and others have put in solid performances as well.

Seeing the stars of tomorrow take part in the first Champions League match of the season definitely sent a message from Barcelona. The club has returned to their roots of being focused on La Masia and always giving young stars their chance to shine.

It wasn’t entirely surprising to see El Haddadi start on Wednesday because the forward has played every game this season alongside Messi. Yet Samper making it into the XI was a bit unexpected.

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Thought to be the next Sergio Busquets, Samper played an outstanding game and showed that the hype is deserved. He barely put a ball wrong all night and read the game much better than a 19-year-old should be able to do.

Sandro again made his way onto the pitch in the second half, replacing Munir. The striker did not have enough time to really bring change to the game, but he responded well to the pressure.

Simply put, it is starting to look like Enrique isn’t just giving young stars their chances to shine; he is really counting on these players for the season.

Whether or not you agree with putting so much pressure on young players it is clear that the newest La Masia stars have the potential to be excellent professionals. Their talent is undeniable and Barcelona is already preparing them to contribute as full-time players.

Since the departure of Pep Guardiola, it has been difficult for La Masia’s best to fight for a place in the first team. Now that Enrique has taken over, it looks like that focus on youth has returned.

Enrique was always going to be the type of manager to give young players their shot, and he has every single Barcelona fan excited about what is to come. It is no joke; the likes of Munir and Samper are going to play a major role in the years to come.

Just how good can Munir, Samper and Sandro become? Is Enrique right to put so much pressure on them? Leave your thoughts and comments below!