A bit of history was created in Barcelona’s midweek tie against Celta Vigo, with the starting XI for the Catalans not featuring a single player from their famed youth academy, La Masia.
Barcelona’s starting XI v Celta, chosen by Ernesto Valverde, was Ter Stegen, Vermaelen, Semedo, Mina, Digne, Andre Gomes, Paulinho, Denis Suarez, Dembele, Alcacer and Coutinho.
The last time Barcelona’s starting XI did not feature a single La Masia player was back in April 2002 when they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0. Their lineup that day was Bonano, Reiziger, Christanval, Abelardo, Coco, Cocu, Rochemback, Luis Enrique, Rivaldo, Overmars and Saviola.
When Barcelona played Levante five years ago, under Tito, Brazilian Dani Alves had to be replaced early by Martin Montoya, which mean ALL eleven players then on the pitch were La Masia products.