No Captain, No Shield: Barca's Backline Crumbles After Martinez's Exit

Overview

Barcelona is facing a genuine defensive crisis this season, lacking the solidity that the team once trusted since the departure of defender Inigo Martinez, who acted as the true captain of the backline under coach Hans Flick. His absence has left a clear gap in defensive organization and revealed fragility in the Catalans’ setup in key games, with Flick still searching for a lineup that can restore balance.

According to AS, the latest Clasico against Real Madrid offered fresh evidence of the backline’s fragility, showing a Barcelona far from the solidity that defined last season. Flick and his staff recognize the flaw, but their attempts to repair it have yet to yield tangible results, leaving defensive gaps as a recurring nightmare in big encounters.

The issue extends beyond the back four; it also involves the high-press system that defines Barca’s style. With lines pushed higher, any lapse in coordination becomes a real threat. This was clear when Mbappe found the net after Jude Bellingham threaded a pass behind the defense, exploiting the space between Pau Cubarci and Eric Garcia.

The club misses Martinez’s firm character, who served as a safety valve since the Flick era began.

Shuffling the Backline and Going to Goal

Reports suggest Martinez’s absence has caused a collapse of the defensive structure, forcing Flick to rebuild from scratch. After several experiments, Flick settled on Pau Cubarci and Eric Garcia as the central pairing, granting them continuity in recent fixtures, but performances remain below par, with costly errors and hesitation in one-on-one duels.

On the flanks, Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde are not at their best. The French defender appears unfocused at times, with unusual dips in form, while Balde remains well below his pre-injury level since his return. Koundé also battles physical issues that affect his presence on the pitch, contributing to a more fragile backline.

Meanwhile, Barcelona briefly leaned on the young goalkeeper Juan Garcia, who delivered notable displays in several matches. However, his latest injury dealt a blow to Flick’s setup, as he had played six games with four goals conceded (0.7 per game) and 14 saves. In contrast, Wojciech Szczesny, despite shining at the Bernabéu, concedes about two goals per game on average.

Statistically, Barca has not kept a clean sheet in three matches this season and concedes about 1.2 goals per game. They have faced 90 shots, roughly nine per match, alarming numbers for a team aiming to regain a solid defensive foundation and the authority it lost since Martinez’s departure.

Behind the Scenes: Martinez to Al Nassr

The Martinez-to-Al Nassr transfer story took an unexpected turn, beginning during Barcelona’s Asian tour this summer, though his departure was not on the club’s agenda. According to AS, there had been earlier talks with Al Nassr during the winter market, but Barcelona insisted Martinez remain to maintain a strong center with the young Pau Cubarci after last season’s partnership under Flick.

The report adds that the idea resurfaced while Barcelona were in Korea late July, with the stance shifting after Martinez was left out of a friendly vs FC Seoul due to minor discomfort, followed by a rep from Al Nassr arriving at the team hotel in Seoul. On August 3, Martinez pulled out of training minutes after beginning due to muscle fatigue, then canceled a press conference appearance, signaling an imminent departure. The club and coach accepted the offer as a recognition of the opportunity for the player and out of respect for his career.

Although the deal helped Barcelona with its Financial Fair Play file, it was not part of a pre-planned sale; management had been weighing other departures, and Martinez was not initially among them.

Deco, the sporting director, commented on the departure: Inigo Martinez left not due to FFP or a club promise, and it wasn’t a premeditated exit. Departures like Fati were athletic moves to help regain form, while Lenglet left because his contract had ended. He added: All who left did so for athletic and financial reasons, except Inigo.