18-year-old Barcelona defender impresses in his surprise start against Mallorca – Report | OneFootball

It is important for every single FC Barcelona player to be ready to play when needed. While not every player is going to be content with a lack of opportunities, they still need to make the most of what they get. Fortunately, most of the players at Barcelona can manage that.

In the recent game against RCD Mallorca, Hansi Flick decided to make some rotations. While the news of Ansu Fati starting grabbed most of the headlines, other key players were rested to give way to certain out-of-favor players to get a big opportunity.

One such player was young Spanish defender Hector Fort, who managed to get a start as a left-back in this game in what was a surprising decision. While he is naturally a right-back, his undeniable versatility allows him to be a dependable option on the left as well.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, moreover, he did more than just give a satisfactory performance. Despite not playing much this season across all competitions, Fort stepped into this game with something to prove and he managed it as well.

Across the 77 minutes that he was on the pitch, Fort made an impressive five recoveries while making two clearances. He also was solid in terms of direct confrontations with opponent players, as he was dribbled past only once in the entire game.

He also completed 59 passes in this game while maintaining a success rate of 92% in terms of pass completion. The players he linked up the best with included the likes of Ansu Fati and Gavi, both of whom had solid outings as well in this recent victory.

Offensively, he had a shot on target and delivered two crosses into the box as well. He also made 22 passes into the final third and attempted three dribbles as well during the game, showcasing the confidence he had in his ability.

While it is not a guarantee that he will end up getting more starts this season, he has done enough to prove that he can give real competition to Gerard Martin. As Alejandro Balde’s return from injury is eagerly awaited, 18-year-old Hector Fort has clearly showcased why he is a dependable alternative option as well.