Barcelona’s defence might be vulnerable, but Pau Cubarsí is doing his best to hold things together as one of the best young defenders in the world.
Lamine Yamal stands out every time Barcelona play. Even as the Catalans ground out an unconvincing 1-0 win over Alavés on Sunday, the 17-year-old produced an outrageous dribble that saw him pass no fewer than seven opponents in a manner that was evocative of the moments Lionel Messi frequently produced in blaugrana.
Less eye-catching, however, is Pau Cubarsí. That, of course, is a byproduct of the teenager’s role as a centre-back, but Cubarsí should similarly be in the conversion around the best young players in the world even if he can’t dribble past seven opponents at a time. He might already be one of the best defenders around.
Cubarsí’s job in Hansi Flick’s system isn’t an easy one. The German coach likes to position his backline high up the pitch. Extremely high. This means there is frequently half the pitch behind Cubarsí for the 18-year-old to protect. Against some of the most dangerous forward lines in LaLiga and Europe, this has been a challenge.
It’s a challenge, however, that Cubarsí has embraced. Indeed, the teenager’s recovery instincts have been sharpened by Flick’s approach with Iñigo Martínez partnering Cubarsí more than any other player this season. Between the two of them, Barca have a strong enough defensive foundation to impose their game.
“Tactically, we train the defensive line but above all it is a matter of communication, that the four of us communicate and that we work well together. If one goes out, the others follow the line,” said Cubarsí when asked to explain the work that goes into making such a high defensive line work at the elite level.
“When I see it from the outside I think ‘ugh, a ball behind our backs could hurt us’, but on the pitch you trust the line and your teammates. If we all work together, they’ll be offside. It’s not the same if the ball is played by a center-back, who is farther away, as opposed to a midfielder. We also pay attention to whether the ball is under pressure or not. If there’s pressure, it’s easier to push up because it’s harder to play it behind us.”
A lesser player would have crumbled under the pressure of holding things together at the back for a club of Barcelona’s size and stature. Cubarsí, however, has grown with the weight of responsibility. Some have even talked about the 18-year-old as a future Barcelona captain. He is seen as a worthy successor to the likes of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.
This season, Cubarsí is averaging 81 completed passes per 90 minutes in LaLiga. Of the Barca players who have started more than 10 games, only Martínez ranks above the 18-year-old, illustrating how the Catalans have the passing range to play out on either side with Martínez usually the left-sided centre back and Cubarsí on the right.
Unlike Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí wasn’t included in the Spain squad that won Euro 2024. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old is a big part of the national team’s future, starting Spain’s last UEFA Nations League match – a 3-2 win over Switzerland. Barring injury, Cubarsí will surely be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
At club level, though, Cubarsí has plenty to achieve as part of a Barca team that is finally moving on from the Messi era. The conveyer belt out of La Masia is rolling again with Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó, Gavi, Pedri and Fermín López all key figures having come through the Catalan club’s famed youth academy.
Across Europe, clubs are spending fortunes to find the centre back of the future. Manchester United paid £52m for Leny Yoro. Wesley Fofana cost Chelsea £70m. Joško Gvardiol came with a price tag of £75m for Manchester City (before Pep Guardiola converted the Croatian to a marauding left back).
That Barcelona can produce someone of Cubarsí’s talent in-house is such an advantage and it’s only through years of financial mismanagement that the club has turned back to La Masia. Homegrown players like Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and co. are getting Barca out of the hole they dug for themselves.
Ultimately, Flick’s approach may be too reckless for Barca to win LaLiga or the Champions League this season. Barcelona might not be able to outscore every opponent they face with the system too extreme in its emphasis on the attack. If Barca can find the right balance, though, Cubarsí could be just as important to them as Lamine Yamal. Even without the dribbles.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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