Barcelona moved into the provisional lead in La Liga after securing a convincing 3–1 win over Deportivo Alavés at the Camp Nou on Saturday night in Matchday 14.
A Strong Display Sends Barcelona to the Top of the Table
The victory pushed Barça up to 34 points, placing them temporarily at the summit of La Liga until Real Madrid’s clash with Girona on Sunday evening. Madrid sits on 32 points, adding even more intensity to the battle for first place.
Although Barcelona performed well as a unit, several individual performances stood out — especially the outstanding showing from Gerard Martín, who excelled in central defense despite being a natural left-back.
Hansi Flick Applauds Gerard Martín After a Remarkable Out-of-Position Performance
In a surprising tactical decision, Hansi Flick used Gerard Martín as a center-back rather than in his usual full-back role. The move proved to be a masterstroke, as the Spanish defender delivered one of the best performances on the pitch. While Lamine Yamal and Raphinha also impressed, Flick’s strongest praise was directed toward Martín.
The German coach emphasized Martín’s impressive adaptability and tactical intelligence, noting how seamlessly he handled responsibilities outside his typical role. His maturity and readiness to contribute wherever needed earned him widespread recognition. These were Martín’s key stats from the match:
- 127 touches
- 103/111 successful passes (92.3%)
- 5/10 accurate long balls
- 4/5 tackles won
- 7/8 duels won
- 2/4 aerial duels won
- 5 clearances
- 2 recoveries
- 1 interception
- 8.0 match rating
Yamal and Raphinha Shine in Barcelona’s Attack
Even with Flick highlighting Martín’s contribution, Barcelona’s attacking stars also played a crucial role in the win. Lamine Yamal once again demonstrated his exceptional finishing and ability to change a match, while Raphinha maintained his high standards, constantly threatening Alavés’ defense.
