The 'jewel' of La Masia that Hansi Flick will be able to count on in the FC Barcelona defence

Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona is known for giving opportunities to youth players. We have only seen four official matches of the German coach in LaLiga, but he has already made it clear that he plans to count on players from La Masia to face this long 2024-2025 season. We have already seen four players make their debut this year and many more are expected to come.

So far, Sergi Domínguez has been one of them. The 19-year-old Barcelona right-back played his first league match this Saturday, August 31, in the 7-0 win against Valladolid. A player who, without making much noise, has been developing in the youth team thanks to his consistency and leadership ability. Flick has trusted him after seeing his performance and attitude in the preseason. The 19-year-old Spaniard came onto the field in the 61st minute, replacing Pau Cubarsí.

Sergi Domínguez: A talent made at Barça

Domínguez came out of the Sant Gabriel youth system and joined La Masia in 2017 in his first year as a junior. The player always stood out physically and gradually improved his technique to become captain of several youth teams. Right now, he is the fourth captain of Barça Atlètic behind Aleix Garrido, Unai Hernández and Ander Astralaga.

He is an international for Spain in the U-19s, but has also played for the U-15s, U-17s and U-18s. In 2022-2023 he had minutes in two games for Rafa Márquez's reserve team and last season he played between the Juvenil A and Barça Atlètic. He played 19 games for the latter, nine of them as a starter. This May he renewed his contract with Barcelona until 2027 with the reserve team, but this campaign he has started with the first team wearing the number '36'.

A gamble for Flick's defence

Right now, the 19-year-old will have to take advantage of the absence of Araújo and Christensen to win over Flick, because both have a long time left. In these weeks he will be able to take advantage to continue improving and learning everything he can from his new coach. Domínguez is the fourth reserve team player to make his debut with the first team this year along with Marc Bernal, Gerard Martín and Pau Víctor.

These were his words after his debut against Valladolid: "Since I arrived at Barça I dreamed of this day. It is an honour and I am very happy. I thank everyone who has made it possible. I have trained hard," he commented. The defender also praised Flick and the good treatment he has given him: "He is very approachable, both he and his staff. He is always very attentive to how we are and always with a smile."

One of the reasons why Flick likes the Barcelona player so much is because he reminds him of a German centre-back with his height and physical strength. In addition, he is consistent, forceful in the clash and quite reliable on the pitch, so we can expect him to continue accumulating more minutes this season and determine what his future will be with the first team.