More unfortunate news arrived at the same time as important first team players like Pedri, Gavi, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, and others started to sustain injuries. There was another significant casualty just prior to the Copa Del Ray round of 32 matchup against Barbastro. The team roster lacked Alejandro Balde, the only natural fullback available at the time. However, a specific 17-year-old volunteered to take his place and did quite well on the test.
Hector Fort, the right-footed fullback was more than willing to accept the challenge, even if it was rumoured that he was only informed a day before the match that he would be starting as a left-back against Barbastro. For the 17-year-old, who was far more at ease playing as a right-back, this was a different type of challenge. He was expected to play on his weaker side in addition to representing Barcelona's first team in a match that might have lost them the entire championship.