Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves. The display featured several impressive individual performances.
One of the most encouraging on the night was Brian Farinas, who made his official first-team debut as a right-back.
Despite playing in an unfamiliar position, he delivered an outstanding performance and repaid Hansi Flick’s faith in him.
The 20-year-old midfielder started at right-back for Barça and produced numbers that highlight his remarkable composure.
Farinas recorded 115 touches, the fourth-highest tally among Barcelona players, and completed 101 passes during his 90 minutes on the pitch.
Farinas delivers exceptional passing numbers
Understandably, for a midfielder who has come through La Masia, the most impressive statistic was his passing accuracy.
Of his 104 attempted passes, Farinas misplaced just three, finishing with a 97.1% success rate.
Barcelona players celebrate
Brian Farinas combined well with Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Much of the attention was on how the 20-year-old would fare defensively, which was particularly important given that he was playing at right-back.
Farinas made two successful tackles and recorded six recoveries, the joint-highest tally alongside Rodri.
It was an extraordinary achievement from a youngster who had never played at right-back before in his career.
His only previous experience in that position came during a brief pre-season appearance under Hansi Flick.
The German manager was forced to improvise because of injuries to Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart.
However, Farinas made the challenge look easy, making a strong case for more minutes in the upcoming games.
Yet another valuable option for Hansi Flick
Beyond the numbers, Farinas also showed confidence in possession and understood when to move into midfield, when to drop into a back three and when to overlap Lamine Yamal.
His understanding with the Spanish teenager kept improving as the game went on, best summed up by a delicate backheel he produced to release Lamine into space.
Brian Farinas of FC Barcelona
Brian Farinas looks quite at home at right-back. (Photo courtesy: X/FC Barcelona_es)
A midfielder by trade, Farinas looked incredibly technical and comfortable on the ball and should also get opportunities in his favoured position as the season goes on.
Yet again, in a time of crisis, Hansi Flick turned to La Masia, and it was Farinas’ turn to step up.
It remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old has done enough to retain his place against Aston Villa in midweek and how his development progresses.
Stats: FotMob*
Ronald Araujo, Liverpool player
Ronald Araujo, Liverpool player
Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia, Barcelona players
Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia, Barcelona players