Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed significant admiration for 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi, drawing a parallel between his defensive prowess and the attacking talent of teammate Lamine Yamal. Cubarsi is also a strong candidate for Spain’s World Cup squad this summer.
These commendations were made in anticipation of Barcelona’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. While Xavi Hernandez’s Sunday night interview dominated much of the pre-match press conference, Flick skillfully redirected focus towards the upcoming challenge against Newcastle.
Flick commented on their opponents: “Newcastle is a strong team; they apply intense man-to-man pressure and possess quick attacking players. We must defend with exceptional pride and bravery. Both legs of this tie are crucial, a lesson we learned from our Copa del Rey encounter against Atletico. We need to be vigilant, and we will be.”
He added, referencing the English league’s financial power: “It’s the premier league globally, truly remarkable, with substantial financial resources allowing them strategic decisions. However, we are equally strong and committed to playing according to our established philosophy, which we aim to demonstrate on the world stage.”
Flick Reflects on Defensive Lapses Against Atletico
Despite winning four consecutive matches since their 2-1 loss to Girona, Barcelona faced significant scrutiny following a humbling 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Newcastle’s squad, notably, features players with comparable attacking qualities.
Addressing the defensive performance, Flick stated: “We have thoroughly and candidly analyzed that game. Our collective defending was not up to our desired standard; certain players underperformed defensively. In contrast, during our home games, every player contributed to defense, maintained correct positioning, and pressed effectively when required. Without that cohesive pressure, defending becomes exceptionally challenging.”
Flick was further questioned regarding his teams’ defensive vulnerabilities, a recurring theme observed during his tenure at Bayern Munich as well.
He countered the criticism by emphasizing offensive output: “Consider how many goals we’ve scored. I’ve had the privilege of managing two phenomenal teams, Bayern and Barca, and I cherish every day. We have consistently scored many goals. Ultimately, defending is a collective responsibility.”
Flick: Cubarsi Possesses Elite-Level Potential
Following the team’s recent resurgence, Flick has prioritized boosting player confidence, showering praise on them after their victory against Athletic Club. On this occasion, his commendation particularly spotlighted Cubarsi.
He elaborated on the young talents: “Players like Cubarsi, Lamine, Fermin, and Bernal exhibit incredible quality; their performance in Bilbao was astonishing. Watching Cubarsi’s defensive work — he even turned a throw-in into a strategic play akin to a corner. Defensively, he’s arguably on par with Lamine, who excels in attack. At just 19, he possesses the capability to perform at the highest possible level.”
While there has been a general perception that Cubarsi, like much of Barcelona’s defense, has faced challenges this season due to collective team issues, his performances in the Copa del Rey return leg against Atletico Madrid and the match in Bilbao stood out as two of his strongest displays of the season.
