The B-list who bring their A game to Barcelona

SEVEN graduates of Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy are likely to line out tonight against Manchester United at Wembley — an incredible achievement in an era of big-money transfers.

But one of the key cogs in Barca’s smooth production line is often overlooked — the club’s team in Liga Adelante — Spain’s second tier.

While the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal rely on the Carling Cup or loan spells to groom young talent, Barcelona can indoctrinate the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Pedro in the ways of tika-taka in the shadow of the Nou Camp — the reserves play their games in the 16,000 capacity Mini Estadi, right alongside their senior counterparts.