Lee Seung-Woo shows he has a bright future

Barça B played their second pre-season friendly on Saturday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex. 

The most promising aspect of the game, played in sweltering conditions, was the scintillating first half performance of South Korean Lee Seung-Woo.

Against admittedly weak opposition, in third division side Santfeliuenc, the dynamic 18-year-old treated the 300 fans in attendance to some wing wizardry in the 2-0 victory.

Playing on the left side of attack, in the team's 4-3-3 formation, Lee gave the opposition full-back a torrid time, running at him at every opportunity.

Following the opening goal, scored by Marc Cardona after a blocked shot fell kindly to him in the area, the Korean took over and was soon on the scoresheet himself.

Having had a powerful shot from distance, and a diving header, both saved, it was third time lucky for Lee. 

He drove inside, towards the heart of the Santfeliuenc defence, played a wall pass with fellow South Korean Paik Seung-Ho, and finished coolly past the goalkeeper with his right foot.

The player has been tipped for first team stardom in the near future by Xavi, and it was easy to see why.

Around the half hour mark, he was instrumental in three separate attacks in quick succession.

First, he waltzed past three players and entered the area, where he went to ground under a push, but the referee waved play on.

Within a minute, he unleashed a blistering right-footed shot from range, which flew inches over the crossbar.

Then, having hardly had time to catch his breath, or allow the spectators to catch theirs, he was onto a loose ball in a flash, and instantly releasing a through ball towards Marc Cardona which was ever so slightly overhit.

The second half brought a slower pace to the game, understandable given the heat, and so we saw a lot less of the exciting youngster.

There was one perfectly-weighted ball to Swiss striker Jeremy Guillemenot, who saw his shot stopped by the goalkeeper, but Lee was soon replaced with 15 minutes left, having received a slight knock.

An impressive aspect of the forward's game was his willingness to track back each time the opposition attacked. 

Barça B left-back Marc Cucurella could not have wished for better assistance, as Santfeliuenc's hopes of getting an overlap on his flank was consistently foiled by the Korean's workrate.

It is, of course, early days in the Barça B career of Lee Seung-Woo, but on Saturday morning's evidence, it seems that Xavi will be proved right in his prediction.

[HIGHLIGHTS] FUTBOL (friendly): FC Barcelona B... por fcbarcelona