THESE FOUR CULÉS HAVE SEEN 450 MINUTES OF ACTION
The four players who have positioned themselves as immovable in Hansi Flick's starting eleven
Published:16/09/2024 - 11:26h
Updated:17/09/2024 - 02:18h
Hansi Flick seems to have already defined the players who make up his starting eleven. However, not all of them have managed to accumulate all the minutes played by the club this season. Do you want to know who are the only four who have achieved this milestone? We tell you at FCBN
The days pass by, and little by little, FC Barcelona seems to be finding its rhythm on the field. And why not? As of today, they are leaders and undefeated in LaLiga EA Sports, having amassed 15 out of 15 possible points, with a remarkable streak of victories that is starting to give the impression that the best Barça is back.
Now, the success of the Blaugrana team can only be explained by how well-constructed their squad is. A cohesive starting eleven, without weaknesses, loyal to a single style of play, where the spotlight seems to be evenly distributed.
In Hansi Flick's tactical setup, although everyone plays an important role, there are currently four names whose presence is crucial for the German. Why? Well, these four pillars have played in all 450 minutes that FC Barcelona has competed in so far, starting and completing the full 90 minutes of each match this season. These players are: Marc-André ter Stegen, Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, and Raphinha.
Marc-André ter Stegen
There's little to say about the German goalkeeper. Wearing the captain's armband and a stalwart between the posts when in top form. So far, in the five matches he has played in this 2024/25 season, he has conceded four goals, keeping a clean sheet in just one match, and making up to nine saves, with an average of 1.8 saves per game. He has been relatively less involved considering that the Blaugrana have had few defensive issues recently.
Jules Koundé
As for the French defender, he has become an essential piece for Hansi Flick's right flank. The Parisian has embraced his role as a right-back and has bolstered the defense, which was already strong on its own, being nearly impenetrable in one-on-one situations and adding quality to his offensive game, currently tallying a goal and an assist.
Iñigo Martínez
Iñigo, undoubtedly, is the leader in the Blaugrana defense. He complements any potential inexperience that Pau Cubarsí might have at the back with the experience of a warrior seasoned in a thousand battles. The Ondarroa native, the only left-footed defender in the squad, has become an impregnable asset in the defensive line. Besides being a key element in building play from the back, he currently boasts the best passing accuracy rate in LaLiga EA Sports, with a remarkable 76.6 successful passes per match played (91%). A true lock both on the ground and in the air.
Raphinha
Lastly, we cannot overlook what Raphael Dias Belloli, Raphinha, has been doing. The Porto Alegre native has responded to Hansi Flick's trust, undoubtedly emerging as a strong contender to be considered the best offensive player for FC Barcelona in LaLiga so far: second in goals scored (3), fourth in assists (2), first in chances created (4), and second in average key passes per game (3.4).
All of this, and with the significant challenge that Raphinha has achieved all this without playing in his natural position as a right winger but rather adapting to a role between attacking midfielder and left winger. In that regard, the former Leeds player managed to overcome adversity and continue to shine as a Blaugrana, making it clear that the decision to keep him has been entirely justified.
