Barcelona B vs. Villarreal B – Summer Friendly
The stands at the Estadi Johan Cruyff buzzed with a modest but passionate crowd. Coaches, academy players, a few scouts, and families filled the seats. It wasn't a high-profile game—but for these young players, it was everything.
Barcelona B lined up in a classic 4-3-3:
GK: Ander Astralaga
DEF: Álvaro Núñez, Mika Faye, Pau Cubarsí, Álex Valle
MID: Aleix Garrido, Marc Casadó, Unai Hernández
FWD: Moha Moukhliss, Ilias Akhomach, Juanda Fuentes
Coach Rafa paced the sideline. He glanced down the bench. Luca sat there, stretching, headphones off, eyes locked on the pitch.
"Second half," Coach said, passing by. "Be ready."
Luca nodded, heart pounding.
First Half – Villarreal B Strike First
The opening whistle blew, and the game started with high tempo. Villarreal B were aggressive. Their high press forced early mistakes.
Casadó, fresh from being called to the First Team for training, looked composed. He dropped deep to collect the ball, switching play with sharp passes.
"Vamos, mueve el balón!" Coach Rafa shouted.
In the 14th minute, Villarreal B capitalized on a loose pass from Pau Cubarsí. Their striker, a stocky number 9, intercepted and slipped it past Astralaga.0–1 Villarreal B.
The home crowd groaned. But Barca B didn't crumble.
Aleix Garrido Takes Control
By the 25th minute, Aleix Garrido took the midfield reins. He dropped between the center-backs to dictate tempo and began pulling Villarreal's shape apart.
A slick 1-2 with Moha down the right opened space.
"¡Centro!" Moha whipped it into the box.
Ilias Akhomach rose for a header. The ball kissed the bar.
Close.
Villarreal B were compact and well-coached, but Barca B's fluidity started to show. Garrido's long-range effort in the 37th minute forced a diving save. The equalizer was coming.
The Equalizer
Just before the half, Álex Valle surged down the left like a bullet, overlapped Fuentes, and crossed low. Ilias flicked it behind his standing foot—pure flair.
And Moha smashed it into the roof of the net.
1–1. Game on.
Halftime.
Second Half – Enter Luca Herrera
Coach Rafa pulled Luca aside. "You go in minute 60. Right wing. Find the gaps. Keep the ball. And don't try to prove anything. Just play your game."
Luca nodded. "Sí, míster."
The game resumed. Villarreal B pushed hard, trying to regain control. Their midfield trio moved with tight triangles, forcing Barca B back.
Casadó intercepted a key pass, then ran into a crunching tackle. He got up, shook it off. Leaders never show pain.
At the 60th minute mark, Luca stood at the sideline. Shin guards in place, jersey tight, mind calm.
"Vamos, chico," Rafa said.
Luca stepped on the field.
The Change in Tempo
First touch: a simple trap and pass back to Garrido.
Second touch: a one-two with Unai down the line, then a burst of pace to break past Villarreal's left-back. The crowd murmured.
"¡Ese es el chico nuevo!" someone whispered in the crowd.
In the 67th minute, Luca received a lofted diagonal ball from Casadó. He killed it mid-air with the outside of his boot and cut inside. Three defenders surrounded him.
A shimmy. A pause. Then—Ronaldinho's flair.
He rolled the ball with the sole of his foot, performed a no-look flick through a defender's legs, and slipped a pass into the box.
Fuentes arrived.
Shot—just wide.
Even Coach Rafa blinked. "What the…"
Turning the Tide
Barca B now looked dangerous. Villarreal's defenders grew hesitant whenever Luca had the ball.
In the 75th minute, Luca danced down the wing, then chipped a pass to Moha, who teed it for Unai outside the box.
Shot. Goal. 2–1 Barca B.
The bench jumped. Coach Rafa turned to his assistant, grinning. "He's special."
But Villarreal weren't finished. They pushed forward with direct football, looking for the equalizer.
In the 82nd minute, a cross from Villarreal's right winger found their striker again. Powerful header.
Goal. 2–2.
The game was wide open.
Luca's Final Moment
In the dying moments, Luca received the ball near midfield with space. He glanced up and sprinted down the sideline. One touch to control, one to push, and he was gone.
A Villarreal defender slid—missed.
Near the corner flag, Luca faked a turn, then cut in and crossed with his weaker foot.
Fuentes attacked the near post but dummied it.
Ilias, waiting behind, smashed it in.
3–2. Final whistle.
Full-Time
The crowd clapped, some even whistled with excitement.
Coach Rafa walked across the field, patting players. He stopped in front of Luca.
"You changed the game," he said.
Luca smiled, sweat dripping. "Gracias, míster."
A scout in the stands scribbled a note.
Luca Herrera (RW, 16) – sharp instincts, confident dribbling, flair under pressure. Keep eyes on next U19 fixture.