Barcelona suffered their first loss after an 11-game winning streak, falling 0-1 to Alavés at Mendizorroza. Ibrahim Diabaté’s goal decided the game, ending the Catalans' impressive run. Despite the defeat, coach Hansi Flick highlighted the confident and calm performance of young central defender Alvaro Cortes in his debut.
Flick explained his decision to rotate the squad after the El Clásico win, aiming to give minutes to less-used players and praised Cortes for his assured play. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny also started for the first time in over six months to rest regular starter Joan Garcia. Flick expressed disappointment about missing out on 100 points but emphasized his satisfaction with what he saw.
Cortes himself described his first-team debut as the happiest day of his life, having supported the club since childhood and always dreamed of playing for Barça. Flick reassured him before the match to trust his training form, and Cortes acknowledged the support and advice from experienced teammates Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Marín. Although the result was unfavorable, Cortes affirmed the team will continue working hard.
What this means
Cortes’ debut in a crucial match signals Barcelona’s ongoing commitment to developing young talent. Unlike previous seasons where youngsters had limited opportunities, Flick is proactively integrating promising players, enhancing squad depth and competitiveness.
The rotation and trust in reserve players reflect a strategic approach to managing fatigue during a busy schedule, helping maintain freshness among key players while giving others valuable experience.
For fans, it’s a clear message that the club trusts its youth and is willing to nurture homegrown talent even in important games. This raises hopes for sustained success and a balanced squad.
Overall, despite the disappointing loss, the match against Alavés marked an important step in Cortes’ career and demonstrated Flick’s strategic efforts to build a promising, well-rounded Barcelona team.
