Flick ready to hand Barcelona youngster Brian Farinas his chance against Alaves

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has opened the door for Brian Farinas to make his first-team debut after blocking the 20-year-old’s proposed move to Girona during the summer transfer window.

Farinas has not played a single minute for Barcelona’s senior side this season, but he could feature against Alaves on Saturday as Flick deals with a shortage of defensive options. The German manager is considering using him at right-back.

Farinas impressed Flick during pre-season, persuading him to halt a transfer that had been close to completion. Although the player is regarded primarily as a versatile midfielder, Flick has also tested him in the right-back position, including during a friendly against Birmingham.

Speaking at his news conference on Friday, Flick said: “Brian Farinas could be an option at full-back because he is very intelligent. He has been training with us since the start of the season and is doing a great job. It is time to give him the opportunity to play that he deserves.”

Farinas the only unused first-team player

Farinas is the only available player in Barcelona’s first-team squad who has yet to appear this season.

Flick has only four defenders available for the meeting with Alaves: Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Alejandro Balde. Barcelona then face two demanding fixtures in quick succession, visiting Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, before playing Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.

That schedule is expected to make squad rotation essential, increasing the possibility of Farinas being used at right-back against Alaves at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, 31 October 2026. According to Catalan newspaper Sport, he trained with the expected starting group during the week.

Farinas’ experience with Barcelona Atletic also strengthens his case. Under manager Juliano Belletti last season, he played in 33 of the team’s 34 matches in the Primera Federacion, missing only one game through suspension after accumulating yellow cards.

He also served as one of the reserve team’s captains, giving him further senior experience despite not yet having appeared for Barcelona’s first team.