FC Barcelona face Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, and in the build-up, Gerard Martin, one of the men of the moment at the Camp Nou due to his emergence as a left-sided centre-back, spoke to the press. The former Cornella player spoke extensively about his adaptation to the position and even revealed that he had been studying Inigo Martinez to better understand what he had to do.

Gerard Martin explained that his positioning is not something improvised, but that Hansi Flick had already considered it some time ago: "In pre-season, we wanted to try it in one match, and afterwards, due to circumstances, I didn't play there again. But I knew I might have to play there again, and when the moment came, Flick asked me if I was ready, and I said yes."

"I also feel very comfortable as a centre-back. I don't have a preference, I feel good here or as a full-back, and wherever the manager tells me I have to be, I'll be there," continued the 23-year-old defender, who had previous experience in his career: "I had played a year or two here before, although with a back five, which is different, but things are more or less similar. A very important thing here is the ball distribution, and I think I do well there."

Just as he said that his great reference was Jordi Alba, who does he look to as a centre-back? "As I have always played as a full-back, I never looked at anyone in particular, but watching my teammates in training, like Eric, Christensen or Ronald, has helped me adapt there," said Gerard Martin, who has also worked with images of last season's defensive leader: "Inigo Martinez had a great year here and was a great leader, and I have also looked at things of his from video and analysis. I have seen images of him to see how I had to do things."

He also spoke about the tactical differences he has to face in this new position: "As a full-back, you always have to go out to press further forward, and as a centre-back, you have to be attentive to cover and duels, which are the things we are working on most in recent matches."

In this sense, he believes that Barça are making a lot of progress defensively: "We are better now. But the way we play, we must be focused for 90 minutes because at the slightest lapse we are vulnerable, but we work to always be at our best and that these things do not happen." And personally, he sees himself with more weight in the dressing room: "I feel important in the team and that is what the coach conveys to me. Now it's my turn as a centre-back, then it will be my turn as a full-back... I don't feel like I have one position or another, but I will play where they ask me to."

"It's always good to have a margin over Madrid"

Questioned about Real Madrid's defeat against Celta, Gerard Martin understands that it is positive for Barça, but is cautious: "I saw the match and it doesn't mean much either because a few weeks ago we were behind and now ahead. It's always good to have a bit of a margin over them, but there are teams like Villarreal who are pushing hard and we are focusing on ourselves."

Are Barça favourites to win La Liga? This is how he sees it: "I don't know if we are or not, we always have it in our heads to win La Liga and for that you have to win all the possible matches, and so that this advantage is not reduced we must continue winning."

Now he faces his first Champions League match at the Camp Nou. "In the end it is always motivating to play at the Camp Nou, and a Champions League match and more being the first is an extra point of excitement. We are very motivated," explained Gerard Martin, who recalled an anecdote with Szczesny after the defeat against Inter, where he reminded him that two years before he was playing in Primera Federación: "It was a turning point for me. He wanted to encourage me, not to cry, that I should be proud of what I had achieved in two years and for the match I had played."

Íñigo Martínez

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