By Graham Ruthven
Lamine Yamal stands out each time Barcelona play. Even because the Catalans floor out an unconvincing 1-0 win over Alavés on Sunday, the 17-year-old produced an outrageous dribble that noticed him move no fewer than seven opponents in a way that was evocative of the moments Lionel Messi often produced in blaugrana.
Much less eye-catching, nonetheless, is Pau Cubarsí. That, in fact, is a byproduct of {the teenager}’s position as a centre-back, however Cubarsí ought to equally be within the conversion round the most effective younger gamers on the earth even when he can’t dribble previous seven opponents at a time. He may already be probably the greatest defenders round.
Cubarsí’s job in Hansi Flick’s system isn’t a simple one. The German coach likes to place his backline excessive up the pitch. Extraordinarily excessive. This implies there may be often half the pitch behind Cubarsí for the 18-year-old to guard. Towards among the most harmful ahead traces in LaLiga and Europe, this has been a problem.
It’s a problem, nonetheless, that Cubarsí has embraced. Certainly, {the teenager}’s restoration instincts have been sharpened by Flick’s method with Iñigo Martínez partnering Cubarsí greater than some other participant this season. Between the 2 of them, Barca have a robust sufficient defensive basis to impose their sport.
“Tactically, we practice the defensive position however above all it’s a matter of communication, that the 4 of us talk and that we work properly collectively. If one goes out, the others comply with the road,” stated Cubarsí when requested to elucidate the work that goes into making such a excessive defensive position work on the elite stage.
“After I see it from the skin I feel ‘ugh, a ball behind our backs may damage us’, however on the pitch you belief the road and your teammates. If all of us work collectively, they’ll be offside. It’s not the identical if the ball is performed by a center-back, who’s farther away, versus a midfielder. We additionally take note of whether or not the ball is beneath strain or not. If there’s strain, it’s simpler to push up as a result of it’s more durable to play it behind us.”
A lesser participant would have crumbled beneath the strain of holding issues collectively on the again for a membership of Barcelona’s measurement and stature. Cubarsí, nonetheless, has grown with the load of duty. Some have even talked in regards to the 18-year-old as a future Barcelona captain. He’s seen as a worthy successor to the likes of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.
This season, Cubarsí is averaging 81 accomplished passes per 90 minutes in LaLiga. Of the Barca gamers who’ve began greater than 10 video games, solely Martínez ranks above the 18-year-old, illustrating how the Catalans have the passing vary to play out on both facet with Martínez normally the left-sided centre again and Cubarsí on the appropriate.
In contrast to Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí wasn’t included within the Spain squad that gained Euro 2024. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old is a giant a part of the nationwide workforce’s future, beginning Spain’s final UEFA Nations League match – a 3-2 win over Switzerland. Barring damage, Cubarsí will certainly be included within the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
At membership stage, although, Cubarsí has lots to realize as a part of a Barca workforce that’s lastly shifting on from the Messi period. The conveyer belt out of La Masia is rolling once more with Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó, Gavi, Pedri and Fermín López all key figures having come via the Catalan membership’s famed youth academy.
Throughout Europe, golf equipment are spending fortunes to search out the centre again of the longer term. Manchester United paid £52m for Leny Yoro. Wesley Fofana price Chelsea £70m. Joško Gvardiol got here with a price ticket of £75m for Manchester Metropolis (earlier than Pep Guardiola transformed the Croatian to a marauding left again).
That Barcelona can produce somebody of Cubarsí’s expertise in-house is such a bonus and it’s solely via years of monetary mismanagement that the membership has turned again to La Masia. Homegrown gamers like Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and co. are getting Barca out of the outlet they dug for themselves.
In the end, Flick’s method could also be too reckless for Barca to win LaLiga or the Champions League this season. Barcelona won’t be capable to outscore each opponent they face with the system too excessive in its emphasis on the assault. If Barca can discover the appropriate stability, although, Cubarsí might be simply as vital to them as Lamine Yamal. Even with out the dribbles.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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