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We introduce the thoughts of Valdas Dambrauskas, the coach of the Lithuanian champion Panevezys "Ekranas" from the daily life of the club.
For many, FC "Barcelona" is the epitome of modern-day football. Some admire the team's incredible game, comparing the players to aliens from another planet, while others hate the club because its dominance in the world has become tiresome. But there are no football fans who do not know FC "Barcelona."
Not only fans' eyes and attention focus on the Catalan club's game, but also, of course, football coaches who analyze, evaluate, learn, and admire this team's play. Many football strategists would like to acquire knowledge from this club's academy or at least see FC "Barcelona's" "kitchen" up close. The coaching staff of FK "Ekranas" has this opportunity, and the first to go on a several-day internship at the famous club was Valdas Dambrauskas. Here are his impressions from the first day.
Without a doubt, FC "Barcelona" is currently the best club in the world. Perhaps even more, many attribute to "Barça" the title of the best football team in the history of the world football scene. Like other best teams in football history such as the Hungarian national team in the 1950s, Brazil at the 1970 World Cup, and the Netherlands in 1974, "Barcelona" changes football's tactical understanding and aesthetic standard. What's most interesting is that they do it with players who almost all grew up in the local FC "Barcelona" academy. While other clubs are investing huge sums to capture success.
Glasgow "Celtic" became the first British team to win the European Cup in 1967, and all its players were born within a 35-kilometer radius of the "Celtic" stadium. I don't know if this record can ever be repeated, but FC "Barcelona" in this age of globalization is getting as close to it as possible. Eight players who won the European Cup in 2011 at Wembley Stadium are graduates of the famous FC "Barcelona" academy.
The opportunity to intern at FC "Barcelona" seems like a visit of a religious fanatic to the most important shrine, where the most important truths of life and faith are understood. Months of correspondence, dates coordination seemed like it would never end... Finally, the dream day arrives.
The internship begins with a meeting with Perre Gratacos Boix, the institutional relations director of FC "Barcelona". Perre is a staunch FC "Barcelona" fan, having also played a few matches for "Barça", captained the B team, and represented clubs such as Real Valladolid and Osasuna. After retiring from playing, he coached several smaller clubs, the B team of "Barcelona", and the Catalonia national team.
With him, we discuss the internship program. Perre is prepared. I receive a folder detailing where and when we need to be. On weekends, there is a marathon of matches for various age groups of the FC "Barcelona" academy, the B team, and the FC "Barcelona" U-19 team. From Monday on, there are presentations on various topics conducted by the staff working for FC "Barcelona", such as Perre Gratacos Boix himself, talent scout director Albert Valentin, technical director Raul Pelaez, head goalkeeper coach Ricard Segarra, and others. After the morning lectures, we observe and analyze the academy teams' and "B" FC "Barcelona" training sessions.
Of course, the most important question is when the main team trains. It is impossible to attend training before a match. No one. You have to see it for yourself, which happens when you arrive at the Joan Gamper training center, the club's training base. The training sessions take place on nine pitches (four grass and five artificial turf), where all FC "Barcelona" teams train, from U-8 to the first team. Two pitches are marked for the first team with first and second numbers, fenced off with a high blind fence, and two security personnel at the gates. Perre promises to do everything possible for us to catch a glimpse of the main team but admits that his authority is not unlimited. The head coach of the first team controls everything related to the team.
While the first team is undoubtedly interesting, it is also equally relevant to see how players who play in the first team are "manufactured." There are no obstacles here. The training begins with the U-17 team, after which four other age groups - U-8, U-10, U-12, and U-14 - take turns using the remaining space on two pitches. Serious work is being done, players are moving, coaches are giving instructions.
Each team is led by two people, the head coach, and his assistant. Perre explains that the head coach arrives at work at 10 am and leaves after the evening training. The time between training sessions is used for planning, analysis, and individual player evaluation. The U-12 team and older play 11 vs. 11 matches, while younger teams play 7 vs. 7 matches. Coaches working with young players and playing 7 vs. 7 work half-time at the club and appear at the base after lunch. Almost all of them have some extra work as well.
I observe the training sessions, the work of players and coaches attentively. Having witnessed this in several English academies, I have something to compare to. Children - like everywhere in the world - are the same - active, agile, enthusiastic, constantly competing with each other. These are the main innate needs of a child, which are not suppressed but encouraged at the FC "Barcelona" academy. Yes, they are talented, but I doubt whether they are more talented than their peers training in other recognized football clubs. Most likely, they will surpass them later, after a few years of daily practice. What makes them special?
First of all, it is evident that almost all teams perform the same exercises and training games. Smiling cunningly, Perre explains that for all teams from U-8 to the first team, some exercises remain the same, and they are performed at every training session. The idea behind this concept is that a player entering the first team will know exactly what is expected of them. Further training confirms this.
It is clear that the academy teams work according to a unified program. Perre explains that the technical director is responsible for creating and executing the program. He regularly meets with coaches to plan the program and evaluate the progress of individual players.
The principles of FC "Barcelona" academy work represent a system that can be interpreted as the direction the club is heading. They train as they play. The inventor of total football, the Dutchman Rinus Michels, who also coached FC "Barcelona, was the first to develop the idea that players need to replicate what happens during a match in training. He divided football into phases, pointing out that it is not a game of 11 vs. 11, but many smaller games, such as 4 vs. 3, 5 vs. 3, 3 vs. 2 in different areas of the pitch. That's precisely what I see on the pitch. Constant competition to keep the ball, uninterrupted transitions from defense to attack and attack to defense. The coaches just watch over everything, almost not interfering in the process itself. The game belongs to the players, not the coach.
Unable to shift my gaze, I stand still for three whole hours. Leaving the training base, another surprise awaits. Passing by a white Audi Q3, Perre nods his head, and out from the car steps the head coach of FC "Barcelona" himself. He gives him Majesty a ride and leaves the training base. Scores of fans, who are constantly at the base gates, rush under the car's wheels, Gvardiola stops, signs a couple of autographs, and with the help of security guards, drives off to prepare for the next day's match.
Well, I'm getting ready too... There are plenty of thoughts and ideas, and tomorrow, starting from 10 in the morning, all academy teams will play matches, culminating in the evening with the "B" FC" Barcelona" match. I need to rest because a 12-hour football marathon awaits...
