Barcelona, after years of turbulence, has finally found stability in a position that for so long was key to its style and, at the same time, a source of concern: the full-backs. The departure of Dani Alves left a void that was difficult to fill on the right wing, while on the left, after the departure of Jordi Alba, it was also left orphaned after the explosion of Alejandro Balde’s relapse of his injuries. Names followed one another, and Xavi Hernández found some temporary patches, but doubts increased after the departures of João Cancelo, Marcos Alonso and Julián Araujo. With the center backs well covered in a perfect tandem between the seniority of Íñigo Martínez and the youth of Pau Cubarsí, Hansi Flick’s challenge moved to the sides. His decision was clear: Alejandro Balde, the team’s only natural full-back, on the left, and Jules Koundé, a center back reluctantly turned right-back, on the other side. But the first was returning from an injury after an irregular season, and the second never hid his disagreement, although he always complied. However, Flick rediscovered that Bucket from two years ago and a Koundé who transformed discomfort into a virtue. Both, well accompanied up top by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, two offensive daggers with more freedom to play inside or outside thanks to the solid defensive balance of the sides. Against Getafe, it was clear.
Koundé was tireless and decisive in the victory on Wednesday, essential in defense and attack. Dissatisfied with the position he had to occupy with this summer, especially after putting in a great performance in this position at the Euro Cup with the French team. But with Flick, he went from condemnation to opportunity: he has played all the complete games, accumulating a goal and an assist, showing a high level. “Its performance is excellent. I don’t even think about changing it during games. He is one hundred percent physically and has a great desire to improve. He is a leader,” Hansi Flick praised the Frenchman after the victory.
He also proved to have found his perfect playing partner: Lamine Yamal. Both understand each other perfectly on the right wing, doubling to create space and put balls in. They matured the play of the only goal that Lewandowski finished off, and his wing was the most dangerous of the game, also allowing Lamine to play more inside. “Lamine likes to play on the wing, but we knew that his game plan was to get very close to him and we have told him which spaces to occupy. Today he played more inside,” said Flick after facing Getafe. The young man from Rocafonda has three goals and five assists this season.
On the other side, Barcelona fans celebrated the return of Balde. Not only about his injury, but also about his performance. Two years ago Xavi trusted him, and he managed to compete for the title with Jordi Alba. He fulfilled, he devastated and he promised. But last year his performances were irregular, and an injury ended up robbing him of the rest of the season. This summer he was discharged after six months injured, and now he has returned to take over the left wing, with the speed and offensive explosiveness that characterizes him. Raphinha accompanies him ahead, performing at the highest level with five goals and two assists, and leading the team as captain in the absence of the rest due to injury.
In the quarry, young people like Héctor Fort, Álex Valle and Gerard Martín are waiting for their opportunity, but for now Flick has found the right key to get the most out of his starting full-backs. “We can see from day one that Hansi Flick is a world-class coach. We enjoy training and games. He is a very demanding coach and things are going well for us,” said Koundé. Barcelona is revitalized with its full-backs.
