Not all was negative news of the overwhelming defeat at the hands of Bayern (0-3) in the premiere of the Champions League. There was also some green outbreak in such a disastrous match. And is that Ronald Koeman ended up lining up an eleven full of lads from the cantera, who also made the cut, saving Barça's best minutes for the end, squeezing and putting pressure on the German champion, who was even hesitating at times.
The most paradigmatic case of all is that of Gavi. This Sevillian breathes talent through all his pores. At the age of 17, practically just turned, He already made his debut against Getafe in LaLiga and this Tuesday he made his debut in the Champions League and through the big door, with a portentous performance, without wrinkling against the Teutons and showing an absolutely abnormal impudence at his age.
Two other newcomers followed in Gavi's footsteps on Tuesday: Alejandro Balde and Yusuf Demir, both 18 years old. And Pedri is the same age, who played all ninety minutes. Although in his case it is already one more day at the office: last season he was one of the players most used by Koeman.
But to this exaltation of youth, they also joined Óscar Mingueza and Ronald Araújo, with 22 years each, and why not say it, Frenkie de Jong, with 24 springs, who ended up playing defensive pivot.
In total, six players who do not exceed 25 years on the field. The oldest who finished the match was the fireproof Gerard Piqué, 34, followed by Ter Stegen and Coutinho, 29. And finally, the Barça franchise forward: Memphis Depay, with 27.
Making the average age of this eleven that finished the game, which came to harass Bayern at times based on arreones, does not reach 25 years, staying specifically at 23.4. If we add to this that Ansu Fati (18), Nico González (19), Riqui Puig (22) and Collado (22) were not yet there, we can get used to the idea of the enormous future that awaits the club from here to two or three years at the most.