álvaro Cortés to start for Barcelona against Alavés

álvaro cortés is set to make his first-team debut for FC Barcelona and start against Alavés in Mendizorroza. The central defender from Zaragoza had been in many call-ups during the second half of the season without playing official minutes. Now he gets the chance in a match Barcelona is using to push toward 100 points.

Cortés gets his first chance

Álvaro Cortés has spent this season as Barça Atlètic captain and one of the standout players for Juliano Haus Belletti’s team. He has scored three goals, and his profile has made him a useful option for Hansi Flick: strong in duels, powerful in aerial play, left-footed and clean in distribution.

That call-up run has been building for months. He has been around the first team through the second half of the season, and the trip to Vitoria finally gives him a start instead of another bench role.

Flick turns to youth

Flick planned to rest the Cubarsí-Gerard Martín pairing for the match in Vitoria, which opens the door for Cortés and keeps Barcelona’s back line fresh in the final stretch. Tommy Marqués and Xavi Espart could also get minutes, with Espart already having played official minutes this season and having started against Sevilla earlier in the campaign.

Barcelona lifted the trophy the previous Sunday after winning the Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou, but the league finish still has a target attached to it: 100 points. Against a side in a relegation place, the champion can keep building that total while giving another academy player a first-team stage.

Mendizorroza and Barcelona

For Cortés, the immediate change is simple. He moves from repeated call-ups and Barça Atlètic duty into an official first-team start, with Mendizorroza as the setting and Alavés as the opponent. He has already done enough for Flick to trust him with the opening whistle.

For Barcelona, the pattern is clear as the season closes: the title is secured, young players are getting minutes, and the squad is still chasing a number that gives the run-in a final target. Cortés is the latest to step into that lane.