Barcelona’s recent match against Bayern Munich will be remembered for the stunning 4-1 win. However, amid the excitement surrounding the results, a crucial detail may have slipped under the radar.

On this important night, Hansi Flick faced his former team and started six players from the academy.

These players included Inaki Pena, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, demonstrating Barcelona’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

It’s La Masia

As the match progressed, Flick further emphasized this commitment by introducing Dani Olmo, another product of Barcelona’s youth system, along with other talents such as Gavi and Ansu Fati.

This meant that Flick started the match with six academy players and ended it with seven on the field.

This is a remarkable achievement as it represents the highest number of academy graduates playing together this season, matched only by their previous clash against Sevilla.

La Masia takes care of it

Following a series of injuries to key players, Flick is increasingly relying on young talent to get his bearings early in the season. Since their match against Alaves, the team has consistently consisted of six players from the youth academy.

Previously, Flick had also included five youth players in various matches against teams such as Valencia, Girona, Monaco, Getafe, Osasuna and Young Boys.

Notably, the record for the highest number of academy graduates ever on the field is still held by Tito Vilanova.

On 25 November 2012, Vilanova fielded as many as eleven homegrown players in a league match against Levante, leading Barcelona to an impressive 4–0 win away from home.

Barcelona’s emphasis on youth development continues to define the club’s identity and competitive spirit, highlighting the potential of their academy to produce skilled players who can compete at the highest level.

The recent match against Bayern Munich is a reminder of this ongoing legacy, as the next generation of talent takes the spotlight.