Barça and Slavia, a mirror image

Many kilometres separate Barcelona and the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague: more than 1,300. But FC Barcelona and SK Slavia in Prague are not as different as it might seem. The origins of both clubs go back to the end of the 19th century. In fact, Slavia are seven years older than Barça, since they were founded in 1892.

Slavia, like Barça, also have a notable list of successes. The team have 18 league titles - 13 in the Czechoslovakia era, five more since competing in the Czech League - and have won a total of nine national cups - five of which have come since the foundation of the Czech Republic.

Female success

Women's football is growing strongly in Barcelona and in Prague. Lluís Cortés' side made a great leap forward last season on a continental scale, when they managed to reach the final of the Women's Champions League for the first time. For their part, the Czechs got to the quarterfinals.

The ambition of both teams this season are to go as far as possible again. They've already played the first legs of the Round of 16 this season, Barça beating Minsk (5-0), while Slavia lost to Arsenal 2-5.

The importance of youth football

In Barcelona, as ​​in Prague, they are aware of how important it is to take care of the club's youth teams. In group 3 of the Juvenile Honor Division, Barça have 17 points from seven games, within four points of the leaders, Zaragoza. Slavia's academy is one of the most powerful in the country, and they currently find themselves in fourth position (21 points), with two games in hand.

The Youth League is a perfect reflection of its big brother, the Champions League. FC Barcelona and Slavia Prague's youngsters share group F along with Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. The Catalans have no points after two games whilst the Czechs are in third-place with three points. With the senior teams playing on Wednesday, their youth counterparts will face off at Horni Pocernice.