This Tuesday, Barça has a key appointment. They visit Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park with a very clear objective: to secure their place in the Champions League semifinals.
The advantage gained in the first leg, a resounding 4-0, gives Hansi Flick's team some peace of mind. But no one in the locker room is complacent. The German coach knows it well: in Europe, a lapse can be very costly, the directive is clear: maintain concentration and give nothing away.
Hard-Fought Victory and a Significant Loss
Before thinking about Dortmund, Barça had to sweat to overcome Leganés in La Liga. A narrow victory that left a bittersweet taste. It's because Alejandro Balde, a key piece in Flick's scheme, got injured.
The left-back felt a twinge in the back of his thigh before halftime and immediately asked for a substitution. Although he left the stadium without a noticeable limp, the initial examinations already predicted the worst. This Sunday, the news was confirmed: he suffers a "distal injury of the left leg's biceps femoris."
He Will Miss Key Matches
The club reported that the recovery time will depend on his progress, but everything indicates that he will be out for two to three weeks. A hard blow for Flick right at the most demanding part of the season.
Balde will not be available for the second leg against Dortmund, nor for the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, scheduled for April 26. Additionally, he will miss the two league matches against Celta and Mallorca, both at Montjuïc.
Jofre Torrents Steps In
With Balde out of action, Flick has had to make a move. The coach has decided to rely on La Masia. The chosen one to reinforce the first team's training is Jofre Torrents, a promising 18-year-old left-back.
Torrents has excelled in the reserve team, and his profile fits well with what Flick is looking for: speed, range, and good tactical understanding. Although he is not expected to start in Germany, he will be involved with the first team during these crucial weeks.
Gerard Martín Loses Prominence
The emergence of Jofre Torrents is a bit of a surprise. Many thought that Gerard Martín, a regular with Barça Atlètic and with more experience, would be Balde's natural replacement.
However, Flick has opted for a fresher and more future-oriented choice. Gerard, who has already been drafted several times with the first team, will have to wait for his moment from the bench.
He will be a substitute against Dortmund and, barring any surprises, also in the upcoming commitments. A decision that gives clues to Flick's plan: looking at the present... but also at tomorrow.