Hansi Flick hails Barcelona youngster after Elche drubbing

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick lauded up-and-coming defensive talent Xavi Espart after his side's emphatic 5-0 victory over Elche in their season opener. The 19-year-old Spanish youngster has been building his reputation as a potential future star for the Catalan giants. Barcelona inflicted a tough defeat on the struggling Elche team, showcasing their dominant La Liga title defense.

Xavi made an early entrance into the match, contributing to the visitors' attacking prowess despite having experienced playing in midfield during pre-season. The Spanish full-back, who typically operates at right-back, was surprisingly deployed at left-back for the game, and he excelled in this role throughout the 90 minutes at the Estadio Martínez Valero.

Xavi demonstrated remarkable composure and control while in possession, assisting in the closing stages of the match. During a post-match press conference, Flick commended Xavi's performance, stating, "Xavi Espart played as a left-back and delivered an outstanding match. He is extremely calm when he has the ball with him."