Barcelona, Spain — Hansi Flick don talk say Alejandro Balde injury go affect dem pass Robert Lewandowski injury as dem dey prepare for Copa del Rey final sato wey go happen for Sevilla against Real Madrid at 22:00 (TV3).
Flick get more options to replace Lewandowski, fit use Ferran Torres as striker or surprise everybody with Dani Olmo as false nine. However, forBalde position, options dey limited. Dem fit use Gerard Martín, wey don dey rise up from Barcelona B, or choose another player wey no see much time this season.
If Flick follow di way he don dey run tings dis season, e go likely choose Martín, wey be 21-year-old, to face tough adversaries like Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Díaz, or Lucas Vázquez on di left flank. This na big challenge for di young player, wey don shift from battling for Segunda Division promotion to now be part of Copa final.
Last year, Martín dey focus on helping Barça B climb di ladder, and him no dey worry about teams like Madrid or Inter Milan, but rather about smaller teams like Ponferradina and Córdoba. Now, as him dey prepare for di match, 22 people wey dey close to am go dey support am from di stands, hoping to see am lift di trophy. Carpe Diem!
Arnau Martín, wey be Gerard twin brother, go also dey among di travel squad. He express surprise say Gerard fit reach dis level in such a short time: “We sabi say e fit make di pre-season, but no way we tink say he go start for Copa final,” he talk as he dey discuss with ARA. Di reality don pass wetin dem expect as di two brothers still dey live for di same house with their parents for Sant Andreu de la Barca.
Arnau no happy with di wrong info wey dey for Gerard Wikipedia, wey say him dey from Esplugues. “We born for Barcelona and we move to Sant Andreu when we small!” he add. Gerard dey remain humble, not showing much interest to shine outside football, unlike other young stars wey sabi fashion and style.
While some players dey shine with tattoos and flashy lifestyles, Gerard no dey follow dem. He just dey drive di car dem provide for am and focus on di game. His friend Miguel NS remember say, “I still dey recall when we dey use di old Seat Toledo for school runs!”
Gerard don dey balance football with studying Administration and Business Management but he don suspend di studies for now because football na him priority. Even though family dey suggest he get plan B, him don fully embrace his football dreams. “He get good grades for his secondary school, but football na im first love,” Arnau conclude.
In di Barça dressing room, dem dey believe say Martín don earn Di Flick trust through hard work and humility. “Gerard dey work hard while others dey float,” dem talk as dem praise him. Despite di challenges, he don dey approach di remaining season with his usual calmness. “He dey read di critic but e no dey disturb,” Miguel say.
Once upon a time, dem dey cheer for di first Pep Guardiola Barça from di stands, now at 23, who knows if Gerard go be one of di heroes as dem dey target dem third title!
