Hansi Flick accepts blame as Xavi Espart fires early in Barcelona win at Levante | OneFootball

Xavi Espart scored his first Barcelona goal inside five minutes at Levante, kissing the badge. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Hansi Flick later accepted responsibility for the first goal conceded.

The 2007-born La Masia product slalomed past three on the edge, having started the move, then finished from close range. Team-mates mobbed the Vilassar de Mar youngster.

In his first full season with the first team, he has taken the left-back role with 12 on his back. Flick has used him ahead of Cancelo and Balde, and has indicated Balde is not in his plans. He has started all five league matches, including the win at Levante.

Flick has compared Espart to Philipp Lahm, praising his assurance on and off the ball, and said he was very satisfied, even a little surprised. Eric García noted the coach’s faith, said the squad are very happy with him and that he must keep working amid strong competition. Flick added Espart had cramps and asked to come off, and that delaying the change probably led to the goal, for which he took the blame.

Espart’s attacking influence is rising. He arrived with two assists this season and opened his account here, playing with the same freedom seen across the 2007 generation with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí. He featured last term and has now fully broken through.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”