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Barcelona fans are not happy with the inclusion of 22-year-old full-back Gerard Martin in their starting lineup to face Osasuna in La Liga. The Blaugrana have travellec to Pamplona where they are expected to secure all three points.
However, manager Hansi Flick has taken the fans by surprise with his decision to start Gerard Martin over Alex Balde. Notably, Martin has started only two La Liga games this season - their 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and their 5-1 win over Villarreal.
Balde has been the usual option at left-back, starting five out of six La Liga games and partaking in all their wins this season. However, the 20-year-old looks set to start this match from the bench, with Martin in the first XI. This has displeased the fans no end, as they took to social media with posts like these:
"This Martin guy again," one fan said.
"WHY IS GERARD MARTIN STARTING? FERRAN TORRES 😭😭😭😭" another added.
"Gerard Martin 😭😭" a third fan cried.
"Martin starting yeah we are not winning," a fan claimed.
"I think Gerard Martin has Hansi Flick’s nudes atp," another fan mocked.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick not focused on breaking record
Hansi Flick has been the manager to watch our for in La Liga this season, having led Barcelona to seven wins out of seven. This unprecedented achievement has also seen them score 23 goals in those games, while conceding just five.
If Barca beat Osasuna, Flick will match the record for the best start in a La Liga season. Gerardo Martino took the Blaugrana to eight consecutive wins to start their season in 2013-14 and Flick could repeat this feat. However, his focus is not on the record, as he revealed to the press ahead of the game (via the club's website):
"We aren't focusing on the record we can achieve. We have prepared for a win at a tough ground, where Osasuna have won 10 points from a possible 12, and where the crowd really get behind them."
He also revealed he would rotate the squad, which will provide context to Gerard Martin starting:
"There will be rotation... every player is ready to go. They put a lot of passion into their work. The coaching staff are happy with them. It's good being FC Barcelona coach."
Barcelona now sit four points ahead of Real Madrid, who have drawn two games in their first seven of the season. Hansi Flick will hope to increase the gap when they face Osasuna.
