La Liga defender talks Cubarsi, Lamine, Araujo, Barcelona exit | OneFootball

Barcelona are in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League and the treble dream lives on. To hit that special achievement, however, they must be flawless over the coming weeks.

Their first game after the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal will be later this week against Celta Vigo in La Liga and the Catalans will see it as an opportunity to put pressure on Real Madrid who face Athletic Club fresh off their UCL elimination.

The Galician side, however, will be no simple opponent for Barcelona for they have lost only one of their last nine games in La Liga.

Mingueza speaks to the media

Speaking to Jijantes FC earlier today, Celta Vigo star and La Masia graduate Oscar Mingueza commented on several Barcelona-related topics including the team’s run this season and his time at the club.

He began by giving his opinion on Barcelona’s two contrasting performances against Borussia Dortmund and how all that mattered was that they qualified.

“Now you see a stronger Barça. They suffered the other day, but it’s difficult to face a match with a 4-0 lead. The important thing was to get through.”

Mingueza will face Barcelona this weekend. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Elaborating on what made it difficult to succeed at a club like Barcelona, he spoke on the intensity demanded by the management and how there was virtually no room for error.

“Barça defend very high and press a lot. They can play with possession or on the counterattack. They are in very good shape.”

“We will have to be close to a 10 to win anything,” he added on Celta’s chances in the upcoming game.

As a defender, Mingueza understood how highly demanding Hansi Flick’s high line is and spoke with amazement on the setup.

“You have to be very focused with the line so high. It’s a great achievement.”

“All the defenders are very fit. Cubarsi, Inigo, Eric…playing at that level is very difficult,” he added.

Praising Pau Cubarsi for his maturity at such a young age, Mingueza added: “Cubarsi seems like he has been playing in the first division for 15 years. Like Lamine… it’s crazy.”

“The pressure on a defender at Barça is maximum. Playing far from the goal, getting the ball out well. Araujo’s leadership is very important,” he added on Araujo.

Finally, the defender was asked why he left Barcelona and whether he regretted his choice.

“When I left, I wasn’t doing things well either. Right now I’m very well and happy at Celta,” he said.