Barcelona, Navy Blues link strengthens

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 29 January 2016

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and FC Barcelona's relationship looks set to grow stronger following the visit of FC Barcelona expert Joan Vila Bosch.

The seemingly unlikely relationship between one of world football's giants and New Zealand's current ASB Premiership champions was consolidated when Bosch, FC Barcelona's Director of Methodology, delivered the first of two coaching clinics in Auckland this week.

Bosch delivered a one day seminar and practicum at Auckland City FC's Kiwitea Street before a room packed with local coaches all eager to listen to the FC Barcelona man describe the methods and club values behind their playing philosophies.

Bosch, who delivers another clinic in Christchurch on Saturday before heading back to Europe, has been impressed with what he has seen of Auckland City FC's set-up at youth and first team level.

"Although only having had one session with the youth players I can see they're of a good standard. Of course you always want to work more with players to find out a bit more about them, but you can see the ideas and the concepts are already there within the players.

"With regards to the Auckland City FC first team, I was very impressed in the game I saw them play. It is very good to see the team and the club has a clear idea and philosophy about how they want to play the game.

"I find it fascinating that so far away from FC Barcelona we can see some evidence of some similar ideas happening in this part of the world," Bosch said.

In another tie-in, Auckland City FC first team coach Ramon Tribulietx also hails from Barcelona and has over a number of seasons signed players like Albert Riera, Manel Exposito and Angel Berlanga from Spain.

Bosch said what Tribulietx had achieved during his tenure at Kiwitea Street and the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco in 2014 was eye-catching and he hoped to probe deeper into what makes Auckland City FC successful.

"What Auckland City FC has achieved in the game here and abroad is very impressive and this clinic is the first step in building on this relationship between Auckland City FC and FC Barcelona," he said.

"Ramon and I have spent a couple of moments together but probably not enough to go into any great technical depth. The funny thing is I've been so busy since I got here but I'm sure before I go home we'll be able to sit down and go over a few things in detail," Bosch said.

Auckland City FC chairman Ivan Vuksich was delighted with the turn out and the honour of hosting Bosch.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for coaches in Auckland to have a man of this calibre, a man who has worked with the best young talent in Europe, to be at Auckland City FC to deliver this clinic. Joan Vila Bosch has a fantastic reputation

"Auckland City FC started a forming a relationship with FC Barcelona five years ago at the IFFHS awards in Europe. We sat at the same table at the FC Barcelona delegation and, of course, both clubs qualified for two FIFA Club World Cups in 2011 and 2015.

"Earlier this year we sent an Auckland City FC youth selection to Barcelona to play some matches and we're starting to build a relationship that will lead to something concrete in the future," Vuksich said.

Joan Vila Bosch met with former All Blacks coach Graham Henry courtesy of the Youth Football Development Trust and Auckland City FC stalwart Nardo Yugovich.

The next FC Barcelona clinic is scheduled for Saturday 30 January, 2016, in Christchurch.

Ends