Barcelona star Alejandro Balde has this week opened up on his struggles last season, as well as his plans to return to top form over the weeks and months ahead.
The Spanish international, for his part, has of course played a prominent role for Barcelona over the early weeks of the new campaign.
Already a favourite of new head coach Hansi Flick, Balde has featured from the off in eight of the Blaugrana’s 11 fixtures across all competitions.
The 20-year-old is still working towards finding optimal fitness, following a long-term spell on the sidelines earlier this year.
Even prior to as much, though, Balde’s form was beginning to be called into serious question.
After something of a tweak in his role on the part of former manager Xavi, the Spanish international struggled to adapt, singled out for criticism for his contributions in attack and defence alike.
Speaking in an interview with Tot Costa, as cited by Diario Sport, this week, Balde was in turn not shy in admitting that:
“Last year was not good for me or the team. I suppose my first year was my best moment at Barca.”
From here, however, the young defender’s outlook took on an altogether more positive tone, as he looked towards the future:
“I feel very good, I had a very long injury. I feel good physically for having been injured for so long. I think I can improve many things, I’m only 20 years old and I’ve been in the first division for three seasons. In defence, in decision-making, for example. Flick insists most on defence. I’m a full-back and many people only think about the offensive part, but I have to work [on both].”
Conor Laird – GSFN
