FC Barcelona came away with a crucial 3-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Saturday evening at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Riding on goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo (x2), and the overall brilliance of Raphinha on his return to the lineup, the Blaugrana rose to the top of the league table with the victory.
Gerard Martin admits it was not easy
However, it was not all easy for Barcelona on Saturday as Alaves pushed them hard from the start to finish, taking the lead very early in the game and pushing for a way back until Olmo’s stoppage-time goal.
And, Gerard Martin, who started another game as the left-sided centre-back for Barcelona, admitted as much in his post-match interview.
“Conceding a goal in the first minute isn’t the way to start a game,” he said. “It was difficult because we suffered until the very last minute.”
The left-back was once again tasked with operating in the centre of the defence by Hansi Flick, and the player insisted that the position “is one I’m comfortable in.”
Discussing what Flick asks of him in the role, Martin explained: “Play the ball out from the back and stay focused in aerial duels and on defence.”
The 23-year-old star also expressed his happiness and pride at seeing that nine of Barcelona’s eleven starters against Alaves were born in Catalonia – a milestone not seen since 1959.
“Casado told me this before we started. It says a lot about what Barça is all about. The nine of us who were here are from here, and we’ve shown that we can compete on equal terms. It really defines Barça,” said Martin.
Bernal reacts
Marc Bernal, Barcelona player
Bernal started his first game of the season vs Alaves. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
It was a momentous occasion for Marc Bernal as he made his first start for Barcelona in over a year, given that Flick has been careful with the youngster this season after he recovered from an ACL injury.
The teenage midfielder also remarked how proud he was about nine of the starters against Alaves being from Catalonia.
“It’s an honour. Barça is a Catalan club and many of us players feel that,” said Bernal.
On the experience of playing at the Spotify Camp Nou, the youngster remarked: “Playing at the Spotify Camp Nou is an honour; I remember when I was little coming to watch matches from the stands.”
Concluding, Bernal noted: “This victory will be very good for us as we prepare for next week’s match. Very proud of the team’s reaction and of these three points.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo