BALDE REQUESTED THE CHANGE AGAINST VALENCIA
Will he play against Athletic? Alejandro Balde makes it clear how he is
Published:18/08/2024 - 09:51h
Updated:18/08/2024 - 16:36h
Alejandro Balde set off the alarms at FC Barcelona during the duel against Valencia (1-2). The left-back asked for a change in the 65th minute after feeling a puncture in his left thigh, but everything ended in a scare
FC Barcelona added its first victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25 against Valencia (1-2) with some suspense. Hansi Flick's men came back thanks to a double from Robert Lewandowski and got a big scare with the departure of Alejandro Balde in the second half. The full-back went down on the Mestalla grass due to a puncture in his left thigh and ended up asking for a substitution, leaving his place for Gerard Martín in the 65th minute. After the match, the 20-year-old player used his social networks to report on his physical condition.
"+3. It was just a blow, everything is fine," the defender wrote on Instagram stories accompanied by a photograph of himself during the game and two emoticons: the arm straining and the leopard with which he usually identifies himself on his networks. In addition, Álex also uploaded a post to his account evaluating the victory at Mestalla. "Good start to the league in a complicated field. Let's continue!" he wrote on his feed, again with the feline emoticon and the club's colors.
📲| Alejandro Balde on instagram.
— Barça Buzz (@Boat_Buzz) August 17, 2024
"+3 💪🐆. It was only To knock, all is good." pic.twitter.com/r8xbmygcda
Hansi Flick remains confident about Balde's presence against Athletic
In the post-match press conference, Hansi Flick was asked about the side's condition. Beyond having requested the change, the coach ruled out an injury, although he made it clear that the player must undergo tests to rule out any problem. "He's fine. We'll see him well in Barcelona, but I think he's fine," commented the Heidelberg coach.
For Barça, the ghosts with Balde reappeared in Mestalla in the 65th minute. The Catalan missed the entire second half of last season due to a problem in the hamstrings of his right thigh, the same area where he felt the discomfort this Saturday, although in his another leg. That night of January 23 in San Mamés also cost him his presence in the Euro Cup and, although the defender has worked hard this summer to strengthen his physique, the coaching staff will take him carefully this week. With luck, the predictions will come true and the '3' will be next Saturday in Montjuïc against Athletic.
