Pau Cubarsi Explodes onto the Scene
Cubarsi’s first major announcement came when he shut down African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen in a quarter-final clash with Napoli with a Man Of The Match performance.
He neutralized the prolific striker, limiting him to just one attempt on goal, allowing him completing 13 out of his 19 passes, coupled with a paltry 29 touches on the ball in the entire 90 minutes. This performance marked Cubarsi as a defender to watch on the world stage.
Pau Cubarsi’s arrival on the big stage was nothing short of spectacular. In the lead-up to the Champions League first-leg quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain, there were whispers about his talent, but this match proved to be his official coming-of-age performance.
‘Xavi gave me the details on Osimhen’ – Barcelona tennager explains what he did to stop Napoli star
A Baptism by Fire in Paris
The hostile environment of the Parc des Princes could have been daunting for a 17-year-old making his Champions League debut. Yet, Cubarsi thrived under pressure. PSG, boasting the fearsome Kylian Mbappé, were surprisingly held at bay, and Cubarsi’s heroics played a significant role in that outcome.
Hailing from a small Catalan village, Cubarsi made his entire village erupt in pride with his extraordinary performance against one of the world’s elite teams. He became the second-youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League quarterfinal and delivered a performance beyond his years.
This was only Cubarsi’s second Champions League game, but he displayed the composure of a seasoned veteran. The first half saw him dominate defensively, racking up the most clearances for Barcelona.
He also showcased his surprising playmaking ability with an impressive 93% passing accuracy. The second half was a continuation of his brilliance, with Cubarsi making five crucial tackles to win back possession. His performance left the Parisian crowd stunned – a new star was undeniably born that night.
A Defender Built for the Future
Cubarsi arrived at Barcelona in 2018 and recently made his La Liga debut earlier this year. The PSG match was just his 15th appearance for the first team.
One of Cubarsi’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional peripheral vision. He seems to possess an innate understanding of the field and the positions of all the players on it, allowing him to anticipate plays and make crucial interventions before danger arises. This “stealth” in his play can make opposing attackers incredibly uncomfortable.
It’s important to acknowledge that the entire Barcelona backline deserves credit for their exceptional performance. Jules Kounde, tasked with containing Mbappé, Ronald Araujo, and Joao Cancelo all had fantastic games.
The dominance of the defensive unit was most evident in Mbappé’s subdued performance. The French World Cup winner, soon to be playing for Real Madrid, looked utterly helpless. He had just three shots, none on target, and only managed 44 touches throughout the match – the fewest among PSG’s outfield players who played the full game.
The Architects of Victory
While Raphinha’s two goals secured the 3-2 win for Barcelona, Cubarsi and his defensive teammates were the true architects of the victory. The attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Marco Asensio, and Mbappé had no answers for Barcelona’s resolute defense. PSG enjoyed more possession and took more shots, but the exceptional performance of the Barcelona quartet rendered those numbers meaningless.
High Praise and Hope for Spain
Barcelona coach Xavi couldn’t contain his excitement about Cubarsi’s performance. “Words cannot express how impressed I am,” Xavi said after the match, according to Mundo Deportivo. “He’s nearly unbeatable and competes like a seasoned player. It fills me with pride to see young players like him on the team. They truly believe in themselves.”
Cubarsi’s success against PSG extends beyond club football and is good news for Spain. He has already made appearances for La Roja in two friendlies, and with Euro 2024 approaching, Luis de la Fuente will be delighted to have a player of Cubarsi’s caliber in his squad.
Spain boasts a rich history of legendary defenders, and fans have high hopes that Cubarsi, a big admirer of World Cup and Euro winner Carles Puyol, will go on to emulate his heroes.
