Barcelona star responds to being dropped to bench for Red Star clash

Barcelona star Alejandro Balde has spoken out on the decision of boss Hansi Flick to drop him to the bench for the club’s latest outing.

Barcelona are of course currently locked in action.

Turning attentions back towards matters in Europe, the Blaugrana have made the trip to Serbia, for a Champions League showdown with Red Star Belgrade.

And, as things stand, Flick and co. find themselves in a tightly-contested affair, locked at a goal apiece.

This comes after Iñigo Martínez’s opener was cancelled out by the hosts just shy of the half-hour mark.

At fault for the goal was Gerard Martín, who was caught behind the rest of Barcelona’s backline to play the surging Silas onside.

In turn, it will no doubt be of interest to those of a Blaugrana persuasion to hear of the man whom Martín replaced in the club’s XI on Wednesday, in Alejandro Balde, speaking out on his absence.

Drawn on as much during an exchange with the media ahead of kick-off at the Red Star Stadium, defender Balde explained:

“Benched today? I’m fine. The coach told me that I’ve played five or six games in a row. He’s managing my minutes well.”

Conor Laird – GSFN