Barcelona register 10 youth stars in UEFA squad B before Feyenoord clash

Barcelona have submitted their Champions League Squad B to UEFA ahead of their meeting with Feyenoord, giving Hansi Flick additional youth options despite the likelihood that most will not make the matchday squad.

Unlike Squad A, which contains the first-team players and cannot be changed during the group stage, List B provides clubs with greater flexibility for academy players who meet UEFA’s eligibility requirements. 

Barcelona were able to submit their list until midnight on the eve of the fixture.

As per SPORT, the postponement of the Youth League meeting with Feyenoord until Thursday has also helped create this unusual situation, allowing several young players to be available to Flick for the senior Champions League fixture.

Barcelona’s Squad B explained

Brian Farinas is in UEFA Squad B. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

UEFA rules require List B players to have been born on or after 1 January 2004 and to have spent two consecutive years in the club’s youth system. 

Alternatively, they must have spent three years with the club, including an interrupted period involving a loan at another team within the same football association.

That explains why Hamza Abdelkarim and Jesse Bisiwu are registered on Barcelona’s A list instead. Both arrived at the club this season and therefore do not satisfy the conditions for List B registration.

Of the pair, Hamza is in contention to face Feyenoord, while Bisiwu will not feature, with Flick confirming his absence at the pre-match press conference.

Barcelona have options across the pitch

Barcelona have also included Shane Kluivert. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s Squad B covers almost every position. Goalkeepers Eder Aller and Iker Rodriguez are included, while the defensive options are Jordi Pesquer, Landry Ferrer, Guillem Victor and Alex Campos.

Brian Farinas, despite being part of the first-team squad, is joined in midfield by Orian Goren and Pedro Villar. Shane Kluivert is the sole attacking option on the list.

Meanwhile, Roony Bardghji is absent from the forwards because his serious knee injury suffered during pre-season will keep him out for the entire Champions League group stage.