Busquets was the only canterano in FC Barcelona side vs. Alaves
Sergio Busquets was the only academy graduate named in Luis Enrique’s side for the La Liga game against Alaves on Saturday.
Due to the recent international break and the upcoming Champions League game against Celtic on Tuesday, the Barcelona boss left Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba on the bench, while Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto weren’t even in the squad.
Jordi Masip and Rafinha were also on the bench, leaving Busquets as the only La Masia graduate in the starting lineup.
Denis Suarez cannot be considered a canterano as he only played for Barça B, while Aleix Vidal’s time in La Masia was only an anecdote, really.
According to Catalunya Radio, there have not been so few La Masia graduates in a starting lineup since Apr. 23, 2002, in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
On that night, as Barça lost 2-0, Charly Rexach was in charge and he only lined up Thiago Motta in the XI, who was replaced later in the game by Gabri.
Since then, the Blaugrana have always had at least two canteranos in the starting lineup.
In November 2012, there was a special moment when Tita Vilanova had 11 La Masia products on the pitch at the same time in a 4-0 win at Levante.
