FC Barcelona win the UEFA Youth League title

FC Barcelona as UEFA Youth League Champions

FC Barcelona emerged 3-0 winners over SL Benfica to become the champions of the inaugural UEFA Youth League.

The final which was held on Monday in Nyon, witnessed the next generation of Catalans lift the trophy after a superb performance from El Haddadi.

Both the teams came into this match after a good showing in the semi finals. Benfica swept aside Real Madrid 4-0 while Barca endured a close encounter against Schalke clinching a 1-0 victory over the Germans.

The first blow came when Rodrigo Tarín scored a rebound to give a 1-0 advantage to the Blaugranas at the 10th minute. Haddadi doubled up their lead to give some breathing space before half time. With two minutes,Haddadi’s magical effort from half line sealed his side’s victory at the Stade Colovray.

Benfica came into this game as the only undefeated side throughout the season. The match kicked off with the Portuguese side setting the tempo from the first whistle launching a string of attacks on Barca. But against the run of play, the Catalans took the lead when El Haddadi stormed into the box after shrugging off Nuno Santos on the touch line and released a shot which was deflected by goalkeeper Graca. But striker Rodrigo was the first one to react as he slotted in the first goal of the game.

The scoreline didn’t alter Benfica’s attacking game as they kept on pressurising the barca back line and three minutes later they were rewarded with a penalty when Elohor Godswill tackled Rochinha inside the box. Romario Balde stepped up to take the spot kick only to see his effort hit against the bar.

While chances were created by Benfica’s attackers, they still couldn’t get the ball past the goalkeeper. Barcelona always posed a threat going forward. And with half an hour gone, Barcelona doubled their lead with the league’s top goal scorer El Haddadi scoring his tenth goal of the competition.

The 18 year old who has been at the heart of things all season capitalised on an assist provided by Adama Traoré who squared him off after a strong run down the right flank to give a 2-0 advantage before both the teams headed into the locker room.

The second half started in a similar fashion as Benfica came out looking desperate to even matters on the pitch. Gilson Costa hit the woodwork and Nuno Santos missed a couple of chances for the Eagles. Hildeberto Pereira was brought on as a substitute with 25 minutes remaining.

Benfica gave their everything in the remaining minutes with Balde forcing a save from Barca goalkeeper Ondoa six minutes into stoppage time. But their woe’s were tripled when the phenomenal El Haddidi wrapped things off in style as he scored a screamer from the half line in the 88th minute which confirmed Barcelona as winners of the Lennart Johansson trophy.

The excitement was shared by Barcelona’s Sporting Director Andero Zubizaretta who applauded UEFA Youth League’s effort to develop these young talents.

“It’s a very interesting competition. It allows us to evaluate our young talent, but it also allows them to play and experience competition outside the domestic league. [...] It’s an extraordinary opportunity,” the former Barca goalkeeper said.

“They enjoy this competition. Playing in this competition is a welcome change to the domestic league matches. It’s a different competition. They might have participated in international competitions already, but in this case they associate it with the first team so they really feel like protagonists.”

With this kind of exhibition from the La Masia academy, the future does look good for the Camp Nou outfit.

UEFA’s Sam Adams tweeted a still of Barcelona players with their hands on the trophy.