close Barcelona’s poor 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo at the Balaídos stadium on Saturday night cost them two crucial points. The Catalans had a 2-0 lead, but the opposition equalized thanks to a string of defensive blunders and disruptions in the play’s rhythm. Information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional” indicates that, of the numerous His level isn’t appropriate for Barcelona. After the team’s tie with Celta Vigo, Hansi Flick chastises the player and demands his immediate departure in January.
Barcelona dropped two crucial points in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo at Balaídos on Saturday night.
The Catalan side led 2-0, but defensive mistakes and disruptions in their play allowed the opposition to level the score. According to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, one of the most talked-about aspects of the match was Gerard Martin’s performance, but it was far from positive.
With Alejandro Balde sidelined due to injury, Hansi Flick gave the young academy player a chance to start at left-back. However, Martin failed to meet expectations and struggled to cope with an opponent who took full advantage of his weaknesses. Just three minutes into the match, Martin committed a serious error that earned him an early yellow card, which only made his performance worse.
From that point, Celta Vigo, guided by Iago Aspas, repeatedly exploited Barcelona’s left side, targeting the gap Martin left open. He was visibly fatigued throughout the game, and his continued mistakes could have cost the team dearly if not for some leniency from the referee.
The referee chose not to issue a second yellow card to Martin after a reckless tackle that could have resulted in his dismissal, leaving Barcelona with ten men before halftime. Additionally, a potential penalty against Barcelona for a foul on Aspas inside the box further highlighted Martin’s poor performance.
Recognizing the situation, Hansi Flick acted swiftly, replacing Martin at the break with Hector Fort to bolster the defense. This substitution demonstrated the coach’s lack of faith in Martin’s ability to handle the responsibility of starting in the first team at this point.
Martin’s struggles represent a dilemma for the club. As an academy graduate, he embodies Barcelona’s commitment to nurturing young talent, but his underwhelming performances in key matches, like the one against Celta Vigo, raise doubts about his future in the first team. With the winter transfer window approaching, Barcelona may look to strengthen the left-back position, particularly if Balde’s injury issues persist.
Hansi Flick has made it clear: there is no room at Barcelona for players who fail to meet expectations, and right now, Gerard Martin appears far from living up to those standards.
