The Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' revealed the brilliance of the duo Pau Kouparsi and Gerard Martin, who have become a cornerstone in the defense line of Barcelona under coach Hans Flick during the current season, amidst the difficult defensive circumstances the team is experiencing.

According to the newspaper, the players have formed the defensive axis in the last five matches, standing out with their great abilities in building from the back alongside their defensive solidity. Kouparsi is considered the primary starting point for attacks, leading the list of players with the most accurate passes in La Liga with 1,931 passes, and has started in 36 out of 39 official matches this season.

On the other hand, Gerard Martin continues to prove his worth with the coach's confidence, having started in 26 out of 40 matches, and leads the list of defenders most successful in aerial duels with a rate of 71%, reflecting his great defensive strength.

The report explained that the duo quietly imposed themselves as an indispensable option in the heart of defense, especially amid significant absences like Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde, alongside the decline in Joao Cancelo's level and the physical problems faced by Eric Garcia. Flick has clearly relied on them to start play from the back while maintaining balance, with Kouparsi distinguished by his right foot and Gerard Martin playing with his left.

The players have also continued to deliver strong performances in important encounters, most notably at St. James' Park and San Mamés, in addition to the return match against Newcastle at Spotify Camp Nou, where they received praise from fans for their commitment and clear impact on the team's performance.

In terms of numbers, the newspaper pointed out that Kouparsi received only three yellow cards during 39 matches and played six consecutive full matches since his return from rest against Levante on February 22. As for Gerard Martin, despite missing the Villarreal match due to suspension, he played five full matches thereafter as a left center-back, raising his tally to 82 matches with the first team.

In the playmaking aspect, Gerard also stood out with his exceptional reading of the field, being behind the start of the fourth goal's attack in one of the matches, after breaking the opponent's lines with a precise pass from the back that reached Raphinha, who then set it up for his teammate to score the goal.

The same source added that Gerard, standing at 1.86 meters, leads the win rate in aerial duels at 71.43%, ahead of Kike Salas and Marc Pubill, while Kouparsi ranks thirteenth with a rate of 64.13%.

The report confirmed that the contribution of the duo, alongside the rest of the team, was crucial in making Barcelona one of the teams that conceded the fewest headed goals in the top five leagues, having conceded only one goal, which came in the 92nd minute during the 5-2 victory over Sevilla.