Brutal! Hansi Flick reveals why Barcelona talent is not starting
Hansi Flick has made it clear that reputation alone will not guarantee anyone a place in Barcelona's starting lineup.
Details: Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has spoken about Alejandro Balde's lack of playing time and admitted that the defender's frustration is understandable given his current role.
“It's normal that he's not happy… but we have five full-backs. That's good, but the hardest part is how to manage it,” Flick said.
Flick explained that competition on the flanks has become especially intense this season. Barcelona currently have five options at full-back, while João Cancelo is capable of playing on either side of the defence.
The coach also highlighted the unexpected rise of Xavi Espart. According to Flick, few expected the youngster to perform at such a high level before the start of the campaign, but his performances have significantly increased the battle for minutes at left-back.
At the same time, Flick stressed that he has no problem with Balde and remains satisfied with the defender's work. The German noted that having two or three players competing for each position is positive for Barcelona, even though managing such competition is one of the most difficult parts of his job.
It is worth noting that the 22-year-old Balde has yet to play a single minute for Barcelona this season.
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Steven Perez
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