Having delivered the Copa Catalunya to Camp Nou last season, the young ones are set for an encore.


In the absence of many first team players who have been called for international duty by their respective countries, FC Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard ha called on his ever-reliable squad of reserve team players to help secure victory against Girona in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya this evening in Palamos. Frank Rijkaard has called up 14 players from the Barça youth ranks. The Dutchman believes the young wards will not only dliver, but do so in style as he looks forward to an interesting game:

We have called up several youth team players. It will be a different type of game, but an interesting one though. It will be an experience for them and good for their future. We want to play well and entertain.

The cup game in Palamós (21:45, live on Barça TV and Barça TV Online) will give several B team players a chance to show the Dutch coach what they can do. Following a training session on Tuesday that saw the seven first team players combine with Pep Guardiola's B squad. Th training was filled with youngsters. Players like Marc Crosas, Oier, Thiago, Botía, Gay, Víctor Vázuez and Jeffren, were joined by 12 other players from Guardiola's squad. They included Xavi Torres, Pedro, Rueda, Espasandín, Córcoles, Dimas, Toribio, Emilio, Urbano, Abraham, Eneko and Fali.