Cubarsi talks Flick, Fermin, Gerard Martin, Inigo, Bastoni, Champions League, World Cup | OneFootball

Just 19 years old, Pau Cubarsi has become one of the permanent fixtures in this FC Barcelona side and has already won two La Liga titles.

The La Masia graduate was once again critical to the team’s success this season under Hansi Flick, forging a strong partnership with Gerard Martin at the heart of the defence.

Cubarsi ready to step into a leadership role

Now, speaking in an interview on Tot Costa on Catalunya Radio, Cubarsi explained that one of his objectives is to eventually take on the role of leader, arguing that because of his position and perspective on the field, it is something he should embrace.

“I’m 19 years old and I have a long way to go, but I need to keep accumulating experience,” Cubarsi said.

“That will eventually help me try to take on a leadership role, because the defender, along with the goalkeeper, sees the whole field, and it’s important to improve in that area,” he further explained.

One of the unpleasant experiences he went through this season was his red card in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, in that last-ditch challenge with Giuliano Simeone.

Reflecting on the incident, Cubarsi said: “There’s always a way to do better, even playing with a high defensive line, but these things happen and in milliseconds you have to decide what to do or not; it’s a lesson that will serve me well in the future.”

Cubarsi was named in the La Liga Team of the Season. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

However, the centre-back was quick to defend the team’s style of play under Hansi Flick despite the risk the high backline carries.

“This is the manager’s philosophy, and we’re fully committed to it. We’ve won many titles playing this way… when we’re focused, it works very well, as we’ve seen,” he reiterated.

Regarding the team failing to add the Champions League trophy once more this season, he added:

“It’s two consecutive league titles that recognise the spectacular level of what you’ve done throughout the season and tell you that you’re working well, but we still have those thorns in our side regarding the Champions League and the Copa.”

On his teammates

Cubarsí also spoke about several teammates and former teammates in what became a sort of one-on-one assessment, and his comments were overwhelmingly positive.

Speaking about Gerard Martin, with whom he formed a centre-back partnership for much of the season, he said:

“His performance isn’t surprising, because his abilities were already known last season, and with him, we now have a centre-back and a full-back.”

On the experienced Inigo Martinez, his defensive partner last season, Cubarsi admitted: “I always tried to learn from him. Inigo helped me, and I learned a great deal from him, and now I try to put all of that into practice to become a better player.”

Cubarsi and Gerard Martin formed a solid partnership. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Asked about Barcelona’s interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, Cubarsi chose to focus on the current squad.

“We don’t try to talk much about players from outside the club, especially because with the defenders we have – Ronald (Araujo), Jules (Kounde), Andreas (Christensen) – there’s a very high level here, spectacular,” Cubarsi noted.

He also highlighted Alvaro Cortes’ emergence into the Barcelona first team, saying: “Cortes is a bit older than me, he’s spectacular, and he’s the captain of the reserve team. If he continues with that attitude, he could do very well in the world of football.”

On the World Cup

In a few weeks, Cubarsi will be playing his first-ever World Cup with Spain, something he is eagerly looking forward to.

Asked about whether he would be a starter for La Roja at the tournament, he said: “A starter? I try to give my all for every 50/50 ball so the coach has confidence in me. We’ll try to compete well in this World Cup.”

At the same time, he also touched on the injury of Fermin Lopez, which will now keep him out of the World Cup.

“Losing Fermin is a tough blow; he was a player who was coming off a spectacular season and could have contributed a lot in a World Cup,” he concluded.