Alejandro Balde has lost his untouchable status in FC Barcelona's lineup. In the last two matches, he has been a substitute and did not play at all against Levante.
Coach Hansi Flick is searching for solutions to fix the defensive issues and is trying alternatives at left-back. Gerard Marín started against Girona, while João Cancelo, whose style resembles Balde's, was chosen against Levante.
Portuguese player Cancelo proved to be the team's strongest offensive weapon. Flick values his dribbling and final passes, especially in home games where opponents play with a low block. He acknowledged that Balde was not in top form upon arriving from Al Hilal but is gradually regaining his level.
The question now is whether Flick will continue to trust Balde in away matches, which demand stronger defensive efforts. In the 2023/24 season, Balde has played 32 games, provided 3 assists, but has yet to score. Despite some fluctuations, he remains crucial in ball progression and creating chances, though he still lacks precision in finishing.
Following the Copa del Rey match at the Metropolitano, Flick held several meetings with the players to address defensive weaknesses and seek improvements. The team did not concede against Levante, and the coach aims to maintain consistency. Balde's future role remains to be seen amid competition on the left side.
