Barcelona youngster Hector Fort seized his opportunity with both hands as he was given a rare start by Hansi Flick in the recent match against Mallorca.
With key players being rested and Alejandro Balde still sidelined due to injury, Flick chose to bench Gerard Martin and gave Fort the nod at left-back.
The decision paid off as the 18-year-old delivered a solid performance, making a strong case for more minutes in the coming fixtures.
Fort showed great composure and awareness throughout the 77 minutes he was on the pitch. Defensively, he was alert and reliable, winning possession back five times and making two clearances.
He was only beaten once in a one-on-one situation, helping Barça maintain a clean sheet. His work rate, positioning, and decision-making added much-needed stability to the left flank.
Confident in possession
Beyond his defensive duties, Fort also impressed with his ability on the ball. He recorded 81 touches and completed 59 passes with an impressive 92% success rate.
He was particularly effective in building play, completing 22 passes into the final third. The young full-back also ventured forward with purpose, attempting three dribbles, delivering two crosses, and even getting a shot on target.
On the day, Fort built strong connections with attacking players, especially Ansu Fati, to whom he delivered 16 passes. He also linked up well with Gavi, passing to him 14 times.
While he did not register a goal or assist, his intelligent movement and understanding of the game stood out.
To put things in perspective, Fort’s display vs Mallorca was a clear message to Martin, who currently holds the starting role in Balde’s absence.
With performances like this, Fort is showing that he is not just a temporary solution, but a serious contender for more regular inclusion in the starting XI.
Source link
Add Comment