Barcelona secured an emphatic 6-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves. It was an important win for Hansi Flick's men after back-to-back defeats to PSG and Real Madrid.
The game against Alaves was memorable for a number of reasons, but no one enjoyed a more special evening than Brian Farinas.
The 20-year-old La Masia graduate made his official first-team debut, playing the full 90 minutes at right-back.
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo , Farinas reflected on the emotional milestone after Sunday's training session.
The 20-year-old posed for the traditional photograph outside La Masia before speaking to Barcelona's official media.
"I'm very happy, very proud of all these years I've spent working. It's every child's dream. Playing in the First Division, with FC Barcelona, the club of my life,"the youngster admitted.
Brian Farinas is overjoyed after making his Barcelona debut. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
His debut was even more impressive because Hansi Flick played him at right-back, a position he had never played in during his developmental years.
Farinas was asked whether he could handle the demands of an unfamiliar role, and his response was crystal clear.
"I play wherever he puts me,"he explained.
The 20-year-old admitted that he felt nervous initially, but those nerves faded as the game went on.
"As you get into the game, I think I'm a player with quite a strong personality. I felt comfortable, to be honest,"he explained.
Farinas also made sure to mention his experienced team-mates who helped him settle into the first team.
"They helped me a lot. Cubarsi, Rodri, Fermin and Lamine, who were all on my side of the pitch, gave me confidence,"he revealed.
It says a lot about the Barcelona dressing room that two of the players Farinas mentioned are actually younger than him.
La Masia has been a constant lifeline for the Catalan club, and Farinas is the latest in a long list of talented youngsters who look like they belong.
Does Brian Farinas get a start against Aston Villa? (Photo courtesy: X/FC Barcelona_es)
One performance doesn't mean the 20-year-old can play at right-back going forward, but as far as debuts go, it was as solid as it gets .
Most impressively, Farinas' mentality looks elite, and he is willing to do a job wherever the manager wants him.
Now a first-team player wearing the No.4 jersey, the Spaniard will hope to earn more minutes and develop under Hansi Flick.
It remains to be seen whether Farinas has done enough to warrant a start against Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday.
