Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez confirms Hansi Flick dressing down and speaks on Spain absence

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was seen as perhaps the best central defender in La Liga before the last international break but was not part of Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad even when Aston Villa's Pau Torres withdrew with an injury . Still, Martinez said he understood the decision.

Martinez was speaking after Barcelona dropped two points to Celta Vigo and before they took on Brest in the Champions League. The 33-year-old more or less confirmed that the players were sternly scolded by manager Hansi Flick after the match.

“It was a game we controlled and you let two crucial points slip away. It's normal that the manager was angry, and the team was angry. These are things that happen in football, and we all win and lose together. Given the minute it was and how the game went, we missed an important opportunity.”

The Basque defender admitted that he was thoroughly enjoying this year and that Flick had played a key role in that.

“From the first minute, Hansi showed me that he wanted to see me and give me that opportunity. I didn't want to be here as an annoyance if the manager doesn't want you or doesn't trust you. He gave me the opportunity in the preparation and when it was over, we saw that he wanted me as a starter.”

“It is the work of someone who cannot be seen and who is trying to fight for what is his. The manager has a lot of influence on that, because he has to give you that confidence. Let's hope everything goes well and we end up winning titles this year.”

After being left out of the Spanish squad by De la Fuente, Martinez was asked what he thought about it and whether he believed it was based on performance. The ex-defender of Athletics Club and Real Sociedad was quite optimistic about the matter.

“It's completely understandable. I am 33 years old and the level of the young players is exceptional. It's not that it's something strange, it's the coach's decision, he thinks about a younger team and wants to give chances to those who push hard. I don't think I should be upset because he's not taking me with him. I'm of a certain age and it's normal that the coach wants to see other players.”