The line-ups of the last clásico reveal a glaring detail:
For Barça: Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres. 8 eligible for Spain and 5 from the youth academy.
In the second half, Balde, Fermín, Héctor Fort, and Gavi came on. 4 more. Total: 12 eligible for Spain and 9 from the youth academy.
For Real Madrid: Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Fran García, and Dani Ceballos. 4 eligible and 3 from the youth academy.
In the second half, Víctor Muñoz came on. Total: 5 eligible and 4 from the youth academy.
The difference is huge and Barça won
12 to 5 and 9 to 4. Barça won. The difference is huge and explains why the Spanish national team has turned to Barça in recent years and not to Real Madrid.
Florentino Pérez likes stars, without differentiating them by their nationalities. He doesn't look at the passport when signing a footballer, but it also hurts him to see the Spanish national team with zero Madrid representation when Carvajal isn't there.
It hurts him to invest significant amounts in the youth academy only for other teams to take advantage of the young white talents.
Ancelotti has committed to the veterans... and it hasn't gone badly for him
It's a subject Ancelotti never managed to pass in his second stage. It's true that, for example, for this Wednesday's match against Mallorca he has drafted eight youth academy players. But he does it out of necessity, to cover injuries, not out of belief in their talent.
Ancelotti has bet on the veterans who have given him titles. It's human. Gratitude is a virtue.
But that submission to the stars has also included a ban on the young players to avoid disturbing the veterans.
Florentino's new strategy
It even happened with Raúl Asencio. From his debut, it was clear there was a central defender for years, but Ancelotti took months to be convinced of that. And Asencio is already 22 years old.
Florentino has discussed it with Xabi Alonso. He has invited him to implement a strategy that allows the promotion of two youth academy players each year with specific weight. Not as decorative ornaments.
The white president's goal is to once again dominate the Spanish national team's line-up, which is experiencing happy times. But without ever giving up on the best footballers that may appear around the world.