Barça Atlètic head coach Juliano Belletti received a much-needed roster boost when midfielder Jesse Bisiwu and defensive midfielder Mirza Catovic were omitted from their respective national team squads, allowing both teenagers to remain with the Catalan reserve team for this weekend’s fixture, Mundo Deportivo reported.
The 19-year-old Bisiwu was left off Belgium’s under-21 squad, while fellow 19-year-old Catovic missed a call-up for Germany’s under-20 side. Their availability comes at a critical juncture for the Segunda RFEF Group 2 leaders, who face a depleted squad for their Saturday match against Girona B at 18:00 local time.
Squad Depletion Due to International Call-Ups
Belletti's side must cope with a heavy wave of absences during the international window, losing eight players in total to national team duties. Spain’s under-19 team claimed goalkeeper Iker Rodríguez, central defender Álex Campos, defensive midfielder Pedro Rodríguez, and winger Joni Hernández.
Meanwhile, central defender Sergi Mayans, left-back Jordi Pesquer, and midfielder Ebrima Tunkara joined the Spain under-17 squad ahead of the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, which runs from November 19 to December 13. Orian Goren earned a senior national team call-up with Israel.
Impact of Bisiwu and Catovic on the Reserve Squad
Bisiwu has logged six starts and 388 minutes under Belletti this season. The Belgian winger joined the club this past summer from Club Brugge’s academy for a reported 8.5 million euros following a standout campaign in the UEFA Youth League, where the Belgian side finished as runners-up.
Catovic has proven equally vital to the reserve side’s midfield, recording six appearances and 420 minutes. The German pivot arrived on a summer loan from VfB Stuttgart and is expected to feature heavily against Girona B in the 11th matchday.
League Standings and Form Leading Into Weekend Clash
Barça Atlètic sits alone atop the Grupo 2 standings in the Segunda RFEF with 22 points after nine matches. Their sole defeat came on the road against UE Olot by a 2-0 scoreline. The squad’s early-season run includes victories over Náxara (5-0), Barbastro (1-0), Peña Sport (4-0), Tudelano (2-1), SD Logroñés (1-0), Utebo (2-1), and Arnedo (2-1), alongside a scoreless draw away to UD Logroñés B.
Saturday’s encounter against Girona B kicks off at 18:00 CET at home, providing Belletti with essential depth as the league leaders look to protect their standing atop the table despite the international break.
Worth a look
