Flick could turn to surprise option for centre-back role as Barcelona face defensive crisis | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Gerard Martin could emerge as Barcelona’s unexpected solution in defence following Eric Garcia’s recent nose injury. 

With the team facing mounting fitness concerns at the back, Hansi Flick may be forced to call upon the versatile youngster as an emergency centre-back in the coming days.

Interestingly, this would not be the first time Flick has experimented with Martin in central defence. 

After Inigo Martinez’s departure, the manager tested Martin as a left-sided centre-back during training sessions and friendlies, and the results were encouraging. 

The youngster adapted well to the role, showing composure and positional awareness beyond his years. 

Those trials could now prove vital, as Flick considers all his options before Sunday’s crucial clash against Celta Vigo.

A handy option

For the upcoming match, Ronald Araujo is the only centre-back who is fully fit. 

Gerard Martin could feature as a centre-back. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Uruguayan has featured in Barcelona’s last two games, against Elche and Club Brugge, and will once again anchor the defence. 

Meanwhile, Garcia completed the Champions League fixture with a broken nose and has since been training with a protective mask. 

Pau Cubarsi, who recently missed several training sessions, has yet to regain full rhythm, while Andreas Christensen has returned to training on Friday and could make the squad if Flick deems him ready.

Ready to step up

This latest development could open the door for Gerard Martin, who, despite not featuring as a centre-back in an official match yet, is said to be fully prepared to step in if required.

So far this season, the defender has logged 563 minutes, mostly as a full-back. His versatility, however, makes him an intriguing option for Flick. 

The inclusion of Jofre Torrents earlier in the campaign hinted that the manager might eventually test Martin in a central role and this weekend could be the perfect time for that experiment to materialise.