Barcelona’s 21-year-old defender is thriving in a dual role under Hansi Flick’s masterplan | OneFootball

A recent insight from Mundo Deportivo has stated that Alejandro Balde’s remarkable physical abilities have allowed him to operate in two key roles for Barcelona this season—both as a full-back and as a winger.

The outlet mentions that the left flank belongs to him, as he provides defensive stability at the back while also pushing forward to stretch the pitch.

His attacking movements create space for Raphinha, enabling the Brazilian to either take on defenders in wide areas or drift into central positions to combine with teammates or make dangerous runs towards goal.

While players like Gerard Martin and even Hector Fort have stepped in admirably on that side, Balde stands out due to his sheer explosiveness.

Development under Flick

One of the aspects he still needs to refine is his technical precision. He sometimes struggles to slow down the play when necessary, and his decision-making in the final third remains inconsistent.

Alejandro Balde has improved a lot under Hansi Flick. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

However, despite these imperfections, he remains an invaluable asset for Barcelona. When the team finds itself unable to build out from the back, his quick changes of direction and sudden bursts of pace allow him to bypass opponents with ease, instantly improving the attacking flow.

If he positions himself too deep in defence, which happens on occasion, his athleticism helps him recover lost ground quickly. In transition play, he adds a directness that makes Barcelona’s counterattacks significantly more threatening.

Scope of further improvement

Although there are moments where he does not capitalise on the advantages he creates—either due to poor decision-making or his thought process not keeping up with his feet—this is an area that will naturally improve with more playing time and experience.

Despite his young age, he has already registered six assists this season, in addition to scoring against Real Madrid in the Super Cup final.

Hansi Flick has been cautious with his development, fully aware that Balde is a crucial piece in his tactical system. While he is still evolving, there is no doubt that he will become an even more influential figure in the future.