The youngsters stepped up for Barcelona against Tottenham

Down 2-1 heading into the final ten minutes of the match, Barcelona were in danger of losing the Joan Gamper match. A glorified preseason friendly, yes, but a match the Catalan side wants to win as it’s a prelude to the start of the season.

By the time the final whistle blew, Barcelona won the match 4-2.

While Robert Lewandowski scored the opener, it wasn’t him nor any of the familiar players from the starting 11 who bailed out Barcelona, rather it was the young contingent.

Lamine Yamal, Ez Abde, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres — who is only 23 by the way — all contributed to the comeback. Yamal had a couple of assists with the other three finding themselves on the scoresheet.

Their performances, particularly of the La Masia products, was further proof that the youth set up is still bearing fruit and that some of Barcelona’s troubles could be solved by putting faith in them.

Yamal, particularly, has drawn the most excitement.

It’s not difficult to see why.

https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1689318213132197903

The 16-year-old was the switch Barcelona needed to turn things around. Yamal could be the answer to the hole Ousmane Dembélé’s departure is leaving. While no one expects him to be the starter, he is an option and will undoubtedly be part of Xavi’s plan for the first team when opportunities allow.

Abde, who is returning from a successful loan from Osasuna, again demonstrated the qualities he has down the left and what he showed last season with Osasuna. With rumors linking him with a move away, his performances during preseason convinced Xavi to stick with him.

Then there is the aforementioned Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.

The former has looked like his pre-injury self. At only 20, it would be almost unwise to give up on him so soon. Xavi was non-committal about Fati’s future but surely it would be a better choice to see if he has what it takes with his confidence back rather than trying to search for former glory and bringing back someone like Neymar.

The only one not a La Masia graduate, Torres has had a tumultuous time at Barcelona.

Last season was one to forget as he never looked like the player Barcelona thought they had signed from Manchester City. Too often, he couldn’t get out of his own way and seemed bereft f confidence.

The difference heading into the new season is he was able to do all of preseason whereas an injury kept him out of it last season. He’s been used as a center-forward so far in preseason by Xavi and is likely where he’ll be used quite often. He’s looked much more comfortable this time around. It could very well be his redemption arc.

It could be that for he and Fati who will have to make most of their opportunities.

For Abde and Yamal, particularly Yamal, they have time to get used to their teammates and understand what Xavi wants from them. For both, it’s so far so good.

Preseason isn’t an indicator of how things are going to go once the season rolls around. Different teams and a different competitive environment changes things. But there is a sense of hope and optimism surrounding all four of these players. With Fati and Torres at least, belief may be what they need to get things back on track.