Álvaro Cortés has already made his debut with the Barcelona first team, and he did it directly as a starter. Hansi Flick gave him the chance from the beginning against Alavés at Mendizorroza. The academy centre-back played alongside Pau Cubarsí in the heart of defence.
Flick introduced eight changes after securing LaLiga, but Cortés was one of the biggest talking points. His presence in the starting eleven was one of the most striking decisions of the night. And despite the 1-0 defeat, his debut left very positive sensations.
The match was not easy for Barça, but the young defender responded with personality. His performance was highlighted as one of the best notes of the team. The club also placed his debut among the main stories of the game in Vitoria.
He played the full match
The most important thing for the coaching staff was not only seeing him debut. It was how he competed throughout the entire match against a demanding opponent. Cortés completed the full 90 minutes and left a very serious first-team performance.
According to the analysis shared, he finished with 95% passing accuracy and 109 interventions. He also showed good ball progression, calmness and personality despite the difficult context. Those numbers reinforce the feeling that his debut was much more than symbolic.
That fits perfectly with the profile Barça have seen in him for some time. He is a 21-year-old left-footed centre-back, 1.90 metres tall and one of La Masia’s most interesting defensive projects. The club had already brought him close to the first-team dynamic before this debut.
Flick looks again to La Masia
His debut also carries value because of what it represents for Flick’s model. The German coach continues to look at La Masia as a real source of solutions. Not only for the future, but also for the immediate needs of the first team.
Cortés now joins a growing list of academy players handed opportunities under Flick. That strengthens the idea that the coach trusts the talent coming from below. And for Barça, that message matters a lot in a summer full of market decisions.
The defeat in Vitoria left a bad taste because of the result. But the match also delivered an important conclusion for Barcelona fans. Álvaro Cortés has made the jump, started the game and responded with calmness, passing and character.
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