Hansi Flick carefully regulating Barcelona rising star’s minutes after last season’s injury

Injuries have not been kind to Barcelona in the opening phase of the 2024/25 season with the club missing several days through long-term injuries from as early as pre-season.

One player who returned from a long-term injury during pre-season, however, is Alejandro Balde who spent the second half of last season out via injury.

While it is clear that he is still rediscovering his best form, the left-back’s availability in itself is a big boost to Hansi Flick’s plans. So far, the German manager has shown great restraint in utilising the youngster.

Caution all the way

As revealed by SPORT, Balde was at his 100% physical when pre-season began in July but the plan was always to phase the player in gradually without overloading his body.

Managing his minutes thus became crucial and the left-back position has thus been one of the most heavily rotated departments in Flick’s Barcelona so far.

Of Barcelona’s 11 games so far, Balde has only started eight and averages just 68 minutes per outing. Notably, he has completed the 90 minutes only on three occasions.

What is further interesting is that Flick has not given Balde more than three successive starts at any point this season, thus ensuring his sustainable use and slow incorporation. 

In the process, young Gerard Martin has won Flick’s confidence as a backup and is enjoying an integration into the first team.

So far, the Balde has shown good stability in defence and prowess with his dribbling. He has indeed lacked in terms of the final product but that is expected to improve as the months pass by.

Having not been called up for Spain’s games in the international break, the youngster has now received two extra weeks off to rest and strengthen his body. With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on the horizon, his importance is more than ever before.