Fringe Barcelona duo impress in 5-1 win over Villarreal – Report | OneFootball

A trip to Estadi de la Ceràmica is never an easy proposition for any opponent. Villarreal are always a tricky customer to face and play an exciting brand of football that has only been taken to the next level by Marcelino.

Hansi Flick showed immense courage to rotate heavily for the game against the Yellow Submarine, giving the likes of Gerard Martin, Sergi Dominguez, and Pablo Torre a chance in the starting XI. The last of the three names hogged all the limelight with his goal and assist in the game.

As per Mundo Deportivo, the former two, Martin and Dominguez had solid games at a difficult stadium. Despite being thrown into the starting XI, the duo can come from the game with their head held high on repaying their coach’s faith.

Incredibly, Dominguez has emerged into the first-team picture out of nowhere. Injuries in central defense have helped his cause but it would have been easy for Flick to shift Kounde to center-back and start Hector Fort on the right.

It was a show of confidence from the German boss to start Dominguez. Martin on the other hand has often been replacing Balde in the second halves of games and was given his second start of the season. He might not have the same attacking flair but is defensively astute.

The team that started the game against Villarreal last night had four La Masia players and the team that finished the game had eight. It shows the trust that Hansi Flick is placing on the Barcelona academy players and they are repaying his faith.

Martin has a key role to play in the season ahead as he is the only natural left-back backup to Balde in the squad. Hector Fort can play in that position but it looks like Flick prefers the former. Dominguez on the other hand might have to make the most of the opportunities he gets currently.

Once the likes of Araujo and Christensen return, Dominguez’s role might diminish in the Barcelona first-team but he will be better for this experience. It remains to be seen how the duo perform in games going forward whenever the coach gives them a chance and let’s see how it goes.