Cubarsi talks Flick, Araujo, Inigo, Eric, Bastoni, Julian Alvarez, Champions League | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi recently sat down for an interview with Mundo Deportivo, wherein he discussed various things related to the team.

Apart from talking about the recent form of the Catalans, who have lost back-to-back matches against Atletico Madrid and Girona, the young defender also spoke of his personal growth in the team, his partnership with other defenders, and manager Hansi Flick’s tactical approach.

On his growth

At just 19, with more than 100 matches already played for Barcelona and an undisputed starter under Flick, Cubarsi admits that everything has happened for him quickly.

“The truth is that everything is happening very fast for me, I almost do not have time to realise what I am doing, but I am very happy, always very proud to be part of the club of my life and if I can keep gaining minutes and experience, I am delighted,” he said.

Statistics highlight him as the Under-21 centre-back in Europe with the best passing accuracy and duel success rate. While appreciative of his accomplishments, he remained grounded.

“It speaks well of me, they are good statistics, but I am not someone who focuses too much on them. I am happy with the work I am doing,” Cubarsi noted.

“I know there are things I have to improve and I will improve them, but everything is a learning process and I am very proud to be up there.”

Talking about his style of play and his references in the game, the youngster stated: “I have always said that Puyol has been my reference, as well as Pique.

“At Barça they teach you more to play one-touch football, to pass, which is what suits me best because I have been here for many years, but when you have to be strong and do things properly and with power, you have to do them.”

Regarding the areas he needed to improve, Cubarsi admitted: “Nothing is perfect, nobody is perfect, although you always have to look for excellence. I think I can improve little by little.

“With the passing years I gain experience, which is important for big matches. It is always important to focus on the small details and keep improving.”

On Flick and his tactics

Cubarsi has excelled under Flick. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Cubarsi then spoke highly of manager Hansi Flick and his relationship with the Barcelona players, many of whom see the German as a father figure.

“He almost always gives us the same advice, to be ourselves, with confidence and security because we are very good and we have to show it on the pitch,” said the teenage defender.

“From the outside, it might look like he gives us many scoldings, but inside, he always tries to help us and protect us and the truth is that he is a very good coach”

Regarding the high defensive line tactics that Barcelona have employed under the German, and the recent criticism that it has faced, Cubarsi said:

“Since Flick arrived he came with his philosophy and it is what we have been practising. From the outside it might look very risky, but I think both the coach’s idea and ours is to go all together with the ideas he has.

“Because we saw last season that it worked well for us. Sometimes we have to adjust four things, which is normal, but I think we are doing things well and we have to continue on this path.”

On whether that tactic can bring them success in the Champions League, considering that Barcelona have been leaking a lot of goals this season, the La Masia defender remarked:

“The defensive line and the goalkeeper like to concede zero goals. With the high line we might take more risks, but I think that also helps us because it means the forwards have to stay active and press strongly, and that helps those of us at the back.

“We might concede a goal, but we are very reliable and we can come back or win matches.”

Continuing, Cubarsi added: “As I said, from the outside it looks like a risk and if someone is not switched on it does not work, but in big matches we have to be as focused as possible to make things work because it is the coach’s philosophy and we are fully behind him.”

On teammates – past and present

Playing alongside Inigo Martinez last season, Cubarsi played a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble success. And he spoke fondly of the veteran defender, who left the club last summer.

“With Inigo last year I had the opportunity to play more matches because Ronald and Andreas were perhaps injured more often and we had a bigger role. He was a very reliable teammate, he always helped me because he was the experienced one. I felt safe with him.”

At the same time, he also highlighted his defensive partners in the current season such as Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, and Gerard Martin, saying:

“But this year I have had to take a step forward and that is what I am trying to do. With Eric I have also shared a dressing room and the back line at the Olympic Games, which went well for us. As with Gerard and Ronald, who is now back, with Eric we form a great duo.”

A key player for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On Eric Garcia’s personality, Cubarsi added:

“Outside the dressing room we laugh a lot with Eric, he is an incredible guy, but on the pitch we always try to stay focused. He keeps me focused and I try to keep him focused too.”

The youngster also expressed his pleasure at having Araujo back playing after the Uruguayan took a mental health break.

“We are very happy with his return and personally he was one of the first who welcomed me into the dressing room when I came in,” Cubarsi said.

“He almost behaved like a father, so I am very happy and proud that he is back. Now he should enjoy what he likes most, which is football, and we know that if he is here it is to help us and that is what he will do.”

On transfer targets

Regarding potential reinforcements such as a natural left-footed centre-back, with Alessandro Bastoni a target, he kept the focus on the current squad while praising the Inter Milan star.

“Yes, he is a spectacular centre-back. I have seen him a few times and we all know his level. But that depends on the people above. We believe we have spectacular centre-backs and we are very happy with the work all of us at the back are doing,” he said.

Regarding the situation in the No. 9 position, where Julian Alvarez is being courted as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, he added:

“Julian is a spectacular player. I’ve played against him more often and had to defend against him. He’s a world-class striker, at Barça level, but both Robert and Ferran are very good and help us a lot.”

Finally, he sent a clear message to the supporters who dream of European glory.

“That they stay with us, because we are going to fight until the end, as we always have, and we will try to bring the Champions League and all the possible titles so that we are all happy and can celebrate a great season,” he concluded.