The exit of Inigo Martinez during the summer transfer window created a significant gap at FC Barcelona, as the experienced Spaniard played a crucial role in the team that clinched the domestic treble last season.
This left manager Hansi Flick with the important task of identifying the right defensive partner for Pau Cubarsi. Ronald Araujo was given a chance but was not consistently effective, while Eric Garcia performed well, although his recent focus has shifted to the midfield due to injuries in that area.
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In light of these challenges, Flick decided to explore an unexpected option in Gerard Martin, and the experiment has proven successful. Remarkably, the 23-year-old left-back has thrived in his new position as a left-sided centre-back since last month.
Since stepping into this role against Athletic Club, Martin has started in seven out of nine matches, sitting out only against Chelsea and CD Guadalajara.
Martin’s Preparation for His New Position
Recently, MARCA released a comprehensive report detailing how Gerard Martin prepared to take on the role of left-sided centre-back.
Interestingly, this isn’t a completely new position for Martin. During his tenure at Cornella, he often played as a centre-back in a back-three formation, operating on the left side.
Martin has shown great prowess as a centre-back. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
During pre-season, the Barcelona coaching team had already explored positioning Martin in this role. His strengths were evident at that time, showcasing a high success rate in aerial duels, the ability to play out from the back, and solid performance in 1v1 situations.
To adapt effectively to playing in a back four, Martin dedicated himself to additional video analysis sessions.
He studied the movement patterns of his teammates across various matches and phases of play, reviewing footage of Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Eric, and Araujo to understand each player’s strengths.
Crucially, he has derived significant insights from Inigo Martinez, seeking to emulate him not only because they are both left-footed centre-backs but also due to Martinez’s synergy with Cubarsi and his leadership qualities on the field.
Moreover, Martin has also focused on Martinez’s technique in executing the offside trap and has diligently worked on mastering this aspect over the past month and a half.
While Martinez’s departure posed a challenge for Flick, Martin’s emergence as a viable option in central defense has been a notable advantage for Barcelona in recent matches.