Rare starts, big impression: Barcelona youngster forcing his way into Hansi Flick’s plans | OneFootball

There was a moment during Barcelona’s win over Athletic Club when Xavi Espart made the kind of decision that tends to separate an exciting young talent from a player ready for the demands of first-team football.

Gerard Martin had made a mistake, Inaki Williams was threatening to break through, and Espart had a split second to react. 

The 19-year-old took the tactical foul, accepted the yellow card and stopped the attack before it could develop into a clear opportunity.

It was a small moment in a much bigger performance, but it showed why Hansi Flick appears to have found something special in the Barcelona academy graduate.

Starting at left-back for the second match in a row, Espart delivered another assured display on the very day he was officially registered as a full member of the first-team squad and handed the number 12 shirt.

Despite not being a natural left-back, Espart has now also moved ahead of Alejandro Balde in Flick’s early-season thinking. 

Hansi Flick’s tactical weapon

What makes Espart’s emergence intriguing is that he does not look like a player trying to survive in an unfamiliar role.

Notably, Espart appears comfortable reading situations, recognising when to stay wide, when to step inside and when to move forward.

That intelligence was visible in the way he defended Inaki Williams, but it was also clear when Barcelona had the ball.

Espart repeatedly joined the attack, sometimes providing width on the left and at other moments drifting into more advanced, central areas.

One of his best actions was a perfectly weighted ball towards Raphinha, whose header struck the base of the post.

Espart making a statement

Flick is extremely impressed with Xavi Espart. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Espart won the battle with Hector Fort during pre-season and is now determined to establish himself as a genuine first-team option. 

Two consecutive starts on the left suggest Flick’s faith is growing, particularly when the coach has an established player such as Balde available.

That does not necessarily mean Espart has permanently displaced the Spanish international, as a long season will bring rotation and different tactical requirements.

However, the competition is now real, especially with Joao Cancelo also in the picture.

Sure, there is still plenty of football ahead, and it would be premature to make long-term conclusions after two league starts, but Espart is already showing why Flick has trusted him in such an unfamiliar position.