FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has been cut from the Spain squad by head coach Luis de la Fuente – but is it good or bad news for his club and Culers?
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FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has been cut from the Spain squad by head coach Luis de la Fuente – but is it good or bad news for his club and Culers?
Cubarsi’s lack of a squad number for the European and World champions’ upcoming Nations League match means that the Estanyol native will play no part in the action against the Czech Republic on Saturday evening. On the other hand, Blaugrana teammates such as Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and Pedri will.
Usually when this kind of development occurs, Barca fans collectively wince and fear the worst.
We’ve seen Raphinha sent home early from two Brazil camps as of late. Though thankfully on the second occasion this week, the captain isn’t carrying a serious thigh injury of the type that kept him out of his team’s two Champions League quarterfinal clashes against Atletico Madrid.
Back then, in March, a harsh Cubarsi red card for being the last man bringing down Guiliano Simeone contributed to a painful aggregate loss and exit from the competition that haunts Barca in its 11-year drought.
Just like with Raphinha, though, who has been cleared by tests, all is well with Cubarsi.
He’s being rested, and should be in peak condition for October 10’s league hosting of Getafe at the Spotify Camp Nou where staying six points clear at the top of the table with a 100% record is the main aim.
There seems to be better communication and understanding between FC Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation
After many a horror story – see Gavi’s ACL rupture in late 2023 – and clashes over the use of Lamine Yamal, it seems like club and country are now seeing eye to eye.
After two victories for Spain in this extended international window over England and Croatia, Cubarsi doesn’t need to feature against the Czechs and nor does Lamine for that matter – though he probably will.
But what we’re seeing here is common sense finally prevailing, and De La Fuente plus the federation looking to preserve young talents like Cubarsi while prioritising rest over unnecessary excess involvement. FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will thank them for it.
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