Barcelona fans have been left fuming on social media after manager Hansi Flick decided to include Gerard Martin in the starting lineup to face Brest in the Champions League group stage. Martin, a 22-year-old left-back, has been a regular face in the club’s matches this season, particularly in La Liga, where he has made 10 appearances and provided one assist.
Despite his recent performances, fans are still not convinced that Martin is the right choice for the starting lineup. Many have taken to social media platform X to express their discontent, using phrases like “Gerard Martin, it’s all in God’s hands now” and “Hansi for the first time I’m doubting you. Wtf is Martin doing here”. Others have expressed their frustration in a more explicit manner, with comments like “Martin yeah Flick OUT” and “Flick and Martin gotta be having something fun with each other, something going on with each other at this point, why doesn’t he trust Hector Fort”.
However, it’s not just the fans who are upset with Flick’s decision. The manager himself has been under pressure after Barcelona’s recent poor performances, including a 2-2 league draw to Celta Vigo and a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad. In a press conference, Flick warned his players to stop making mistakes ahead of their match against Brest, saying “It’s about eliminating the mistakes, that’s important. We have a lot of things to do better with the ball and that’s the focus”.
Despite this warning, many fans are still skeptical about Martin’s inclusion in the starting lineup. His last full match came in Barcelona’s 5-2 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, and it seems as though Flick is willing to trust him once more. However, his decision has not gone down well with fans, with many questioning what he sees in Martin that others do not.
Flick’s desire to include Martin in the starting lineup is perhaps understandable, given his recent performances in La Liga. However, the manager also has other options available to him, including Hector Fort. It will be interesting to see how Flick’s decision plays out, and whether it will pay off for Barcelona in their match against Brest. Ultimately, only time will tell if Flick’s decision to play Martin was the right one.
