Hamza Abdelkarim has emerged as the central attacking piece in Barcelona Atlètic's ambitious bid to secure promotion to Spain's top flight. Brazilian coach Juliano Belletti has built his squad strategy around the Egyptian striker's World Cup experience, believing his international pedigree can be the catalyst the reserve side needs to finally break through after repeated failed promotion campaigns.
Belletti has fundamentally restructured Barcelona Atlètic's recruitment approach this summer. Rather than relying exclusively on academy prospects, the coaching staff has signed experienced players aged over 20—a deliberate shift in philosophy. Ignasi Coure and Juan Ibarra, both 22, join alongside Jony Hernández, a midfielder with competitive league experience. Ecuadorian full-back José Caicedo, 26, adds another layer of depth after competing in Ecuador's top division and Copa Libertadores with LDU Quito. These signings represent exactly the kind of maturity the squad lacked in previous seasons.
Youth and Experience: The New Formula
The 26 players who began training on 20 July boast an average age of just 18.8 years—reflecting Barcelona Atlètic's traditional reliance on academy talent. However, Belletti's strategy now emphasises balance. Last season, despite fielding players of above-average quality for the division, the side fell short of promotion. The Brazilian believes the gap wasn't talent alone but rather a lack of seasoned players who understand how to navigate tight contests and manage pressure situations across a full campaign.
Pre-season training commences on 2 August in Vall d'en Bas, where the squad composition will more closely resemble Belletti's intended starting lineup. Several prospect players have already departed to join Hansi Flick's first-team setup at Barcelona, opening spaces for the new signings to establish themselves. Abdelkarim's World Cup exposure, combined with the tactical intelligence of the experienced arrivals, gives the team a genuine platform for a sustained promotion challenge this term.
