Barcelona Atletic star excels at Maracana, offers solution for Hansi Flick – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are blessed to have an academy like La Masia. It is a gift that keeps on giving, and in recent years, it has helped the first team mitigate a less-than-desirable financial situation while remaining competitive.

In Hansi Flick, there is a first-team manager who isn’t afraid to give La Masia youngsters a chance. One of the first moves he made as Barcelona’s head coach was promoting both Marc Casado and Marc Bernal to the first team.

Now, attention is turning to Barça Atlètic’s defender, Alvaro Cortes. According to SPORT, Cortes has the profile Flick is looking for to reinforce the defense.

The departure of Inigo Martinez has forced Flick to rethink Barcelona’s central defense. The German coach lost the only natural left-footed center-back in the squad and has experimented with pairing two right-footed players, Cubarsi and Araujo.

Playing out of position has affected Cubarsi’s influence in building play from the back. During preseason, Flick also tried Gerard Martin, a left-back, in central defense while Christensen and Eric remain alternative options in the first team.

At the B team level, the situation is reversed. Belletti’s squad boasts two left-footed center-backs, Cortes and Andres Cuenca, both of whom are emerging as potential starters.

In the Maracana final, Cortes stood out with his speed, ball-carrying ability, aerial dominance, and clear understanding with Cuenca. He scored a crucial header in the 94th minute, giving his team the lead before Flamengo equalized with a spectacular goal. The match was ultimately decided on penalties.

Cortes’ physical attributes are notable for his age. His strong lower body allows him to dominate duels and engage effectively in challenges. Despite a challenging last season for the B team, he remained one of the most consistent performers.

Flick has been aware of his potential and included him in several first-team training sessions, though the crowded center-back roster during preseason limited opportunities for B-team players.

Several clubs have taken notice of Cortes’ talent. Andorra, for instance, has reportedly monitored his progress closely. The next few weeks will be decisive for his future, as Barcelona evaluates a clear pathway for his development.

Alvaro Cortes is emerging as a talent to watch, offering Barcelona a rare left-footed option in central defense and a glimpse of the future for the first team.