Barcelona have kicked off the new season in scintillating fashion, winning their first five matches under the leadership of new coach Hansi Flick.
While the attacking exploits of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and the young sensation Lamine Yamal have garnered much of the attention, it’s the stellar performances of veteran defender Inigo Martinez that have helped solidify the team’s backline.
A leader of defence under Flick
Formerly of Athletic Club, Martinez was often an overlooked figure under the leadership of Xavi Hernandez last season.
The defender struggled to establish himself as a key player under Xavi, making just 16 starts across 25 appearances. However, his fortunes have changed mightily, under the leadership of Flick.
With injuries to Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen leaving a void, the experienced Basque centre-back has seized the opportunity to establish himself as the defensive leader, reports Mundo Deportivo.
In a team where the average age of the backline without him is just 20.6 years, Martinez’s presence has brought much-needed stability and experience.
Starting in every match so far, Martinez has clocked over 450 minutes, featuring prominently against the likes of Valencia, Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano, Valladolid, and Girona.
His commanding performances have earned him the trust of Flick, who sees him as a key pillar in the defence.
Martinez’s tactical awareness was particularly evident against Girona, where he was instrumental in correcting Alejandro Balde’s defensive positioning to nullify Bryan Gil’s threat.
The veteran’s experience and leadership have combined well with the youthful exuberance of Pau Cubarsi, who has expressed himself well on the ball this season.
There was a point early in the summer when Martinez had been linked with an exit owing to potential registration issues. But Flick put his faith in the Spanish veteran who has now more than delivered.
Thanks to his stellar performances, Inigo Martinez has now also established himself as a meaningful competitor for the likes of Christensen and Araujo, when they eventually return to full fitness.