Barcelona confronted Birmingham Metropolis in a pre-season sport that resulted in a 2-2 draw, with the Catalan membership shedding on penalties.
Hansi Flick was with out most of his first-team and needed to depend on youth to make up most of his crew, and lots of kids caught the attention with their performances.
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Amongst them was Alvaro Cortes, who changed Gerard Martin for the second half of the sport and didn’t put a foot mistaken.
The Spaniard was handed his debut by Hansi Flick on the finish of final season in opposition to Alaves, and it appears to be like like he’s prepared for the primary crew.
Cortes has first-team ambitions laid out
Flick will likely be maintaining an in depth eye on Cortes. (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos)
Talking about his future as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Cortes has made his ambitions clear, insisting his objective is to ascertain himself in Hansi Flick’s first-team squad.
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Cortes believes the present coaching camp provides La Masia gamers the proper platform to persuade Flick.
“Sure, for me and for the opposite kids, this can be a nice alternative,” he stated.
“We’re right here in massive numbers, and we see it as an opportunity to stick with the primary crew, earn the coach’s belief and safe our place. That is what we’re all hoping for.”
The defender additionally talked about that he’s hoping for an even bigger first-team position this season, making it clear that succeeding in Blaugrana is his dream.
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“What the membership has stated about me is one thing I see as constructive as a result of my first want is to remain right here at Barcelona. It is what I’ve dreamed of since I used to be a baby. No matter is alleged about me, I am going to settle for it and respect it,” Cortes defined.
Cortes leaves the reserve crew behind
Requested whether or not he could be ready to return to Barça Atletic if required, Cortes gave an sincere evaluation of the place he believes his profession now stands.
“I believe I’ve moved past the reserve crew. All I need is to remain right here with the primary crew and earn my place,” the 21-year-old stated.
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Cortes additionally mirrored on his efficiency in opposition to Birmingham Metropolis, the place he produced an assured show regardless of going through skilled senior opposition.
“It was our first pleasant of preseason and I felt superb. I settled into the sport shortly and, though we did not win the penalty shootout, it was a great take a look at to start our preparations,” he stated.
Cortes stepped as much as take the primary penalty for Barça on the night time, rifling the ball into the highest of the web. It was a second that confirmed his mentality.
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Impressed by Barcelona legends
Describing his personal sport, Cortes highlighted his love of defending whereas stressing the significance of contributing in possession.
“I am a participant who enjoys defensive duels and feels very snug in one-on-one conditions. I wish to be influential on the ball, play correct passes and assist the crew in assault. Defensively, I additionally really feel very snug with the system the coach makes use of, and I believe I can contribute loads,” he defined.
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The younger centre-back additionally revealed the defenders he has appeared as much as all through his profession.
“I’ve at all times admired defenders like Pique and Puyol,” Cortes stated.
“However extra not too long ago, Inigo Martinez had an distinctive ultimate season right here. I usually watch movies of him, each with and with out the ball, to study from his performances and attempt to attain the identical stage.”
An excellent alternative for the Spaniard
Barcelona haven’t made a transfer for a brand new central defender this summer season, and the longer they don’t, the larger the door opens for Cortes.
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Each pre-season sport is an opportunity for the 21-year-old to point out Hansi Flick and the membership that he deserves a good probability.
This might additionally immediate Barça to push the central defender signing till after this switch window and provides Cortes a run-out.
The Spaniard is left-footed, wonderful in possession and will clear up a variety of issues for Flick ought to he come good.
It’s nonetheless early days, however Cortes has made a superb impression in Flick’s first crew. It stays to be seen whether or not he’s promoted formally forward of the upcoming La Liga marketing campaign.
