Cortes’ push for a Barcelona first‑team spot after Birmingham draw

Barcelona’s 21‑year‑old Spaniard Alvaro Cortes declared “I’ve moved beyond the reserve team” as he aims to secure a permanent spot in the first‑team after the Catalan side’s 2‑2 pre‑season draw with Birmingham City that concluded with a penalty shoot‑out loss.

The match opened with Hansi Flick missing most of his senior squad, forcing Barcelona to field a youthful line‑up of academy graduates. Early exchanges were evenly balanced as both sides tested each other’s defensive organisation.

At the interval, Alvaro Cortes replaced Gerard Martin and settled into the back line without error. His composure helped Barcelona absorb Birmingham’s attacks and his defensive duels were praised by observers.

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Cortes then took Barcelona’s first penalty in the shoot‑out, sending the ball cleanly into the top corner. Despite his successful spot‑kick for the Blaugrana, the shoot‑out ended in a defeat for Barcelona.

Speaking after the match, Cortes reiterated his ambition, saying “All I want is to stay here with the first team and earn my place.” He added that the current training camp offers La Masia players a perfect platform to impress the coach.

Cortes noted that his first‑team debut under Flick came at the end of last season against Alaves and named Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol and Inigo Martinez as inspirations. Barcelona have not signed a new central defender this summer, and his left‑footedness and comfort in possession are seen as assets that could solve defensive challenges for Flick.