Overview
- Barcelona’s heavily rotated side lost 1-0 to Deportivo Alavés, ending the champions’ pursuit of a 100-point league season.
- Head coach Hansi Flick made eight changes to manage minutes and evaluate depth, a plan he said he accepted despite the setback.
- Teen centre-back Álvaro Cortes debuted and played the full match, logging 109 touches, 88 completed passes at 95% accuracy, and five accurate long balls, according to match analysis.
- Flick praised Cortes and other La Masia players by name, highlighting aerial wins, composure on the ball, and a growing connection with academy graduates.
- Yahoo, citing Mundo Deportivo, reports Cortes is expected to join the pre-season group, which has not been formally confirmed by the club, as Barcelona next host Real Betis before visiting Valencia.