Rafa Marquez and Barcelona Atlètic show the future is bright
The Barcelona first team may be coming off of a disappointing campaign that raises doubts for the future, but the B team flew under the radar as a surprising success story.
Just one win away from promotion, ultimately falling short by just one goal against Cordoba, formerly a first division team.
Ironically, doing it in the most Barcelona way possible, on a mistake by playing dangerously, and perhaps naively, out of the back, during a crunch moment of the game.
Still, Rafa Marquez and his players surpassed expectations, and they did it by showing a fighting spirit, not backing down to anyone. They had the audacity to achieve.
That’s an important lesson for the first team.
Barcelona will not be favorites to win La Liga. And they won’t be counted as one of the best in the Champions League.
But there still will be no excuses for failure.
Hansi Flick is not a caretaker manager. He’s expected to make his team more than the sum of its parts.
Now a debate could be had in evaluating Rafa Marquez as a manager.
Could he have been the right man to put in charge of the first team? Probably not. It would be foolish to run back the Pep Guardiola playbook and expect the same miracle.
So was the Mexican manager just blessed with a stellar roster of players?
Keep in mind that he lost Lamine Yamal before the season began. And then he lost Pau Cubarsí half way through.
He kept rolling with the punches, and kept getting most out the players he had at his disposal. And in the end he made an incredible run all the way until the final game of the season.
Joan Laporta needs to keep Rafa around, and feeling appreciated. There shouldn’t be another Garcia Pimienta situation. The last Barca B manager to do an outstanding job, only to be allowed to walk away with little resistance.
Yes, successful managers will always want to take on new challenges. And don’t be surprised if a certain high profile national team comes calling Marquez soon if they don’t perform well in the Copa America. Cough Cough El Tri.
But running the second team at Barcelona should be looked at as a big honor.
It sits at the top of the renowned La Masia academy. You are the last step in the process to get these players ready for the best team in the world, playing the best brand of football in the world.
For any proper manager, this is an incredible opportunity.
And going forward, Barcelona will need its academy operating optimally, up and down the line.
Rafa Marquez is a true professional, and he gave Barcelona a lifeline this season, by showing class and leadership, and a will to punch above his weight.
That’s a person who represents the culture that Barca needs to foster going forward.
Of course, you have to give the credit to the players.
There were a few familiar faces in the lineup on promotion Sunday.
Marc Guiu and Hector Fort (what a goal!) have already shown great promise and potential as first team assets. Guiu has a classic center forward profile. Fort is already proving he has a shockingly good final ball.
The biggest question mark of all will be around Mikayil Faye. This is not the type of player you sell. There may be some good offers on the table, but his upside as a player for the future at Barcelona is too good to not bet on now. In some ways, he still looks a bit raw, with defensive marking of late especially in the last few games, but that can only be improved with experience.
Marc Casado is a veteran by Barca B standards at 20 years old. But as a defensive midfielder those extra years to mature and develop may give him an opportunity at just the right time with the first team. It’s no wonder Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta have already identified him for a role in the upcoming season.
You can throw Pau Victor in that camp as well, who at 22 years old will be eager to break out and make the most of any chances given to him – if Barcelona can find a way to keep hold of him.
You can see why Flick wants to be at Barcelona now, even knowing the limitations the club has financially.
Barcelona is full of natural wealth.
It takes knowledge and skill to effectively tap into it. And hopefully Flick is the man for the job.
But don’t tell me Barcelona can’t win now.
Talent is just one ingredient in the recipe for success.
You also need character.
Barcelona Atlètic had it this season, and we should be grateful for their example.
And excited for what the future may bring.