Barcelona head coach Xavi afforded a call-up to a seldom-seen member of the club’s youth ranks at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Monday.
Barca, of course, are fresh off an outing to remember late last night, when a stellar performance saw the Blaugrana put Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid to the sword by three goals to nil.
Since, however, a whole host of the club’s star performers have departed for international duty.
With the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi remaining sidelined through injury, too, the aforementioned Xavi opted to make up the numbers in training this morning through the use of several up-and-coming academy talents.
Amongst the group were a trio of regulars, Ander Astralaga, Diego Kochen and Marc Casadó – the latter fresh off making his long-awaited senior debut in Barcelona’s colours.
Also included, as per a report from Mundo Deportivo, though, was an altogether more unfamiliar face – that of Jaume Cuéllar.
Cuéllar is a 22-year-old winger, who is currently enjoying a spell on loan in Catalunya’s capital from Lugo.
The Bolivian – who will soon depart for international duty himself – has spent the season to date plying his trade with Rafa Márquez’s Barca Atlètic outfit.
Fresh off bagging an assist en route to a 4-2 victory over the weekend, though, Cuéllar was on Monday afforded the chance to test his talents against the club’s senior stars.
Conor Laird | GSFN
