Flick excludes Balde from Barcelona squad to enforce discipline

Published Aug 24, 02:24 PM UTC

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick excluded left-back Alejandro Balde from the squad for a match against Elche, sparking debate. According to SER Catalunya, Flick believes Balde's 'mind is too scattered' and wants to use the omission as a wake-up call to improve his effort. Barcelona's management still rates Balde highly, but Flick aims to send a message that no player is an untouchable starter. Balde, who turned down summer offers to stay, was surprised by the decision. Former player Jofre Mateu analyzed that Flick is enforcing dressing room discipline. Meanwhile, Barcelona has a backup plan: monitoring Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas. A face-to-face meeting between Flick and Balde is scheduled for Monday, which will determine Balde's future at the club.