Barcelona is gearing up for a crucial away match against Las Palmas, a team that previously managed to defeat them at home in the first round of La Liga. Currently, Barcelona leads the league standings with 51 points, holding a slight goal difference advantage over second-placed Real Madrid, who are set to face Girona in a challenging fixture.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” Hansi Flick had seemingly sidelined Hector Fort after his underwhelming performance in the previous match against Las Palmas.
Despite coming on as a substitute, his display left much to be desired, leading to his exclusion from the squad for several weeks. Even during the Copa del Rey fixture against Barbastro—where multiple rotations were made—Fort was not given an opportunity to play.
With his future in doubt, speculation arose in January about a possible loan move to other La Liga clubs such as Valencia, Alavés, or Leganés. There were also discussions of a potential transfer abroad, as former Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas showed interest in acquiring Fort’s services.
However, club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco rejected the idea of a transfer. Their decision was largely influenced by the lack of a backup right-back, given that Jules Koundé was the only reliable option in the squad.
Despite the challenging situation, Fort remained patient and dedicated, choosing to work hard without complaints. His perseverance eventually paid off when he was given the opportunity to start in the recent match against Rayo Vallecano.
His selection was largely due to Hansi Flick’s disciplinary action against Koundé, who had been penalized for arriving late to a tactical meeting.
The match against Rayo Vallecano was crucial for Barcelona, as a victory was necessary to reclaim the top spot in the league, especially after Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid had drawn their respective fixtures.
Given Rayo Vallecano’s strong form, which had placed them in sixth position, the game was far from easy. However, Fort delivered an impressive performance, demonstrating his potential as a valuable asset to the team.
By making the most of his unexpected chance, the young defender has now re-entered the first-team picture.
His strong work ethic and determination may secure him a more consistent role in Flick’s plans moving forward, ensuring that he remains a key part of Barcelona’s squad for the remainder of the season.
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