Barcelona star Gerard Martín endured an evening to forget on Saturday.
As much came as Barcelona surrendered two points on the road, in a hugely-disappointing draw with Celta Vigo.
Hansi Flick’s troops of course marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to Balaídos for the club’s first fixture post-international break.
The Blaugrana headed into proceedings eyeing a return to winning ways, after slipping to just a 2nd defeat of the La Liga campaign at the hands of Real Sociedad last time out.
When all was said and done on Saturday, however, Barca were forced to make do a share of the spoils.
This came after Marc Casadó’s late red card cost the visitors dear, en route to surrendering a two-goal advantage inside the space of three minutes.
Barcelona’s midfield starlet will, post-match, be saddled with much of the blame for the result, with Casadó’s 2nd yellow having been completely avoidable.
As alluded to above, though, it was another member of Hansi Flick’s squad who, over the 90 minutes this evening, showcased again why he is not at the level required of a side with the aspirations of the Blaugrana.
Afforded a start at left-back owing to the absence of Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martín was more than lucky to have remained on the pitch through the half-time whistle.
This came as the 22-year-old, after picking up a booking inside the game’s opening minutes, repeatedy flirted with a 2nd yellow card.
A rash challenge on Iago Aspas should in truth have culminated in as much, with Martín’s blushes having only been spared by some lax officiating, and his ensuing withdrawal for the 2nd-half.
Recent reports in the media have pointed towards Barcelona being on the lookout for reinforcements at full-back with a view to next season.
This comes with Hansi Flick not satisfied with the options at his disposal behind Alejandro Balde.
And, this evening, Martín proved precisely why once more…
Conor Laird – GSFN
