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Samper the latest gem after calm Barca debut
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ONE thing that has stood out during the early stages of Luis Enrique’s stint as Barcelona coach is the faith he is placing in recent graduates from the club’s famed “La Masia” academy.
At least in the opening weeks of the season, Luis Enrique is relying on home-grown talent more than his predecessor Gerardo Martino did and the latest to be given his debut in the first team was 19-year-old midfielder Sergi Samper.
Samper, who has been with the club since the age of six, played the whole of Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League Group F victory at home to APOEL Nicosia, taking the central holding role typically occupied by the rested Sergio Busquets.
Samper turned in an assured performance against the Cypriot champion, completing 98 of 107 attempted passes and winning the ball back nine times.
“I felt comfortable,” he told Barcelona’s TV channel.
“Playing with these players everything is easier,” he added.
“I am very pleased to be here and grateful for the confidence shown in me. It is priceless.”
Others fresh out of the academy who have debuted for the first team this season include 19-year-old forwards Munir el Haddadi, who also made his Spain debut in this month’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia, and Sandro Ramirez.
They both featured against APOEL and along with Samper are in a long line of home-grown talent including the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
A former Barca and Spain midfielder, Gijon-born Luis Enrique is clearly a staunch supporter of Barca’s youth policies as he tries to strike the right balance between academy graduates and players brought in from outside the club such as Neymar, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic.
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