A boy accustomed to scoring more than a goal per game in various youth categories and national teams has encountered the harsh reality of Serie A, which is unforgiving and physical. Playing against crafty defenders and carrying 20kg more has meant that the 2008-born player struggled with the step up, although not excessively.
Flick had called Roony Bardghji over. They scored, and Ronald went down. Flick made us wait, and then suddenly he turned around and shouted, 'Xavi!' I rushed off to get my things ready so I could go on. I couldn't believe it. Once I came onto the pitch, I had a blast.
Kota Tawaratsumida is perhaps the standout attacker worth bringing from Tokyo if you're an ambitious Champions League-chasing club, with solid fundamentals, including high acceleration, agility, technique, flair and dribbling, which always goes down nicely for a winger. As a two-footed threat able to be re-trained to play on either flank, you can snare him for under 10m but you'll have to fight for his signature, since he's wanted by other clubs.
Although the name that generates the most consensus inside the club is Alessandro Bastoni, his price makes the operation extremely complicated. For that reason, Barcelona are studying more accessible alternatives on the market that could offer both performance and room for development.
I am truly sorry for the offensive word that I used in the heat of the moment. Despite the fact that I had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult, I completely understand that such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.
We faced, probably both technically and physically, the strongest team. I'm happy because the guys got into the game and they understood that today there was not only a need for quality but also for physicality, for physical confrontation. There was, especially in the second half.
Agreement for the incorporation of the player Alex Gonzalez to the Juvenil A team of Barça from CF Damm. The whole process was completed earlier today in the presence of Jose Ramon Alexanco, the director of youth football for Barcelona.
In a week where young Irish players were in the headlines, from Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan to former Galway United man Alex Murphy, here are the teenage talents who have been capturing attention and will hope to follow in the footsteps of Mason Melia (€1.7m move to Spurs) and Victor Ozhianvuna (initial €2m pre-contract deal with Arsenal) in the future.
