Gerard Martin sends warning to Barcelona’s rivals after Valencia thrashing | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are riding high at the moment, having started the 2026-27 La Liga season with four consecutive victories. Hansi Flick’s side continued their red-hot form on Sunday with a five-goal demolition of Valencia, as they moved two points clear at the top of the standings – ahead of surprise package Alaves, with rivals Real Madrid only 3rd.

Barcelona have kept this form going while making regular changes to the starting line-up, thus showing the quality of depth that Flick has at his disposal – arguably for the first time in his managerial stint in Catalonia. In defence, both Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen have featured alongside the indispensable Pau Cubarsi, and they have each impressed.

Martin started in the Valencia rout, and as per Sport, he spoke to the media post-match. The 24-year-old let Barcelona’s rivals that they are prepared to be very ruthless this season, as has been shown by 17 goals in their first four games.

“We are having very good competitiveness, it shows that even if we go 3-0 we are hungry for more. We are feeling good, games like today when we score so many goals, keeping a clean sheet is important, a sign that we are focused and we do not relax.”

Martin assesses being a defender in Flick’s system

Much has been made of Barcelona’s attacking threat this season, but they have also kept three clean sheets in their opening four matches. Martin was asked about his experiences of being a defender in Flick’s system, and while there have been nervy moments, he has generally felt at ease.

“There is a little stress because they are always extreme situations. We feel comfortable, we always have to adjust certain things of surveillance. Sometimes we were not well positioned, but we know that our game is like that and we are aware of everything.”