Ose Aibangee believes that the recent visit to Barcelona shows that, both on-and-off the pitch, Brentford’s Academy is a growing force in European Football.
A Brentford Under-16s side travelled to Barcelona in October to take on the Catalan club in a set piece friendly at their world renowned La Masia Training Centre.
The Bees took the lead after 11 minutes as Danny Parish swept home from Luke Dunn’s cross.
Barcelona equalised five minutes later through Porquemos and took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Edgar beat Cameron Greaves at the second attempt.
Brentford pressed for an equaliser in the second-half and came close to securing a draw, none more so than when George Harmes saw his late effort brilliantly kept out by Adria in the hosts goal.
Speaking after the game Ose said that he had been really impressed by the performance and attitude of his players.
He admitted that they had been a bit wary of Barcelona before the match but thinks that the performance on the pitch shows the depth of talent that is coming through the Jersey Road setup.
“It was a really good trip,” said Ose.
“The boys and the staff went out there and were really excited by the whole experience.
“It was exactly what we expected with the prestige of playing against one of the best Academies in the world.
“I was really impressed with how the boys played against Barcelona.
“They have some of the best players from all around the world and we had to pit our wits against them.
“I think the score-line reflected the overall performance.
“I am not going to say that we were better than them: they beat us 2-1 but it was a close game and we gave as much as we got.
“They were definitely wary because Barcelona are a big club with a big name.
“Having a result like that and a performance like that will make them believe that they have a chance of going to the highest level.
“Our ambition with the group of players that we have got here is to see them playing at the highest level internationally, in the Champions League and in the Premier League.”
Brentford’s squad travelled over to Barcelona the day before the match and stayed in a hotel near to the Training Ground.
It was a 7pm kick-off local time meaning that the players had the day to relax ahead of the match before returning home the following afternoon.
With Ose harbouring ambitions of seeing Academy products playing European and International football he said it was a good experience for them to learn about playing oversees midweek matches.
Ose was pleased with the boys’ conduct off the pitch and the maturity with which they coped with the occasion.
“We built the game up like a Champions League game,” said Ose.
“The boys went away and prepared in the right manner.
“They took all that on board and they enjoyed it.
“When they came back we got some feedback from them and they got a lot out of the whole kind of experience.
“We want the players to work hard when they are on the pitch but part of being a professional football player is learning how to behave and conduct themselves off the pitch.
“It is also about them resting when they are off the pitch because that is important in terms of them performing.”
Aside from the match the trip also gave Ose and the rest of the coaching staff a chance to speak to Barcelona about coaching methods and practices that they employ.
Ose and members of the coaching, recruitment and sports science staff took the opportunity to exchange ideas with their counterparts from Barcelona and compare training methods.
For Ose it was a very worthwhile experience not only for gaining ideas but also for confirming that what is currently going on at Jersey Road is on the right track.
The Academy Director said that the success of this trip to Barcelona, along with recent trips to Inter Milan and AZ Alkmaar, sends a powerful message about Brentford’s Academy to those who see it as a small club Academy.
“We looked at what Barcelona do things and how they do things,” said Ose.
“We spoke to their coaches, their fitness staff and others to share ideas on best practice.
“As an Academy we got a lot out of it and it confirmed that we are working along the right lines when it comes to what we are doing.
“Barcelona were impressed by us but I think at the same time they were a bit surprised.
“They felt it could have been a bit of a walkover and that we might come over and park the bus.
“They were a little bit surprised that not only did we play well and compete with them but that we went over to attack them.
“They felt it was a good game for them in terms of a competitive fixture.
“It was important for us that we played well and it sends a really powerful message about our Academy.
“There is a lot of snobbery in football and people look at Brentford and think we are a small club and a small Academy.
“I think the game against Barcelona has proved that we are a big club and have got good players in our Academy and that we are moving along the right lines.
“The performances against AZ Alkmaar and Inter Milan were excellent.
“The performance against Barcelona, albeit that we lost narrowly, was excellent.
“If we can pit our wits against that level of players and perform well then it definitely bodes well for the future.”
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