Cubarsi talks Rodri, Gerard Martin, Christensen, squad depth, World Cup final: ‘We are short of a centre-back’
· Yahoo Sports
Pau Cubarsi enters the new season with a World Cup winner’s medal and the confidence that comes from playing a major role for both Barcelona and Spain.
Visit amunra-opinie.pl for more information.
The young centre-back, voted the best young player at the World Cup, spoke to RAC1’s Tu Diras while on international duty and offered insight into Barcelona’s strong start, the changes in the squad, and his ambitions for the campaign ahead.
For Cubarsi, one of the biggest differences this season has been Barcelona’s squad depth.
Cubarsi impressed by Barcelona’s squad depth
Barcelona have been able to rotate without seeing their level drop significantly, something Cubarsi considers essential over a long season.
“We have a very well-rounded squad.
“I think that’s one of the key factors this season, also in terms of being able to rotate in La Liga, and we know that everyone has the perfect qualities to start matches, and that makes us very good,” he analysed.
The defender has also been impressed by how quickly Barcelona’s new arrivals have adapted to the club’s style, including Rodri, whom he knows from the Spain setup.
“I think everyone who has joined has arrived at a very high standard.
Cubarsi has nothing but praise for Gerard Martin. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“Honestly, I didn’t expect them to fit in so well with our philosophy right from the start, and they’re all raring to go, keen to achieve great things.”
One player who has particularly caught Cubarsi’s attention is Gerard Martin, whose transition from full-back to centre-back has added an important option to the defence.
“Gerard started out as a full-back, then switched to centre-back, and the truth is that perhaps at first people didn’t have much faith in him, but he’s done spectacularly well.
“He’s a very hard-working lad and things are going well for him.”
Furthermore, with Andreas Christensen injured, Cubarsi accepts that Barcelona’s defensive depth has taken a hit.
“It’s well covered. Gerard has shown that it’s well covered, although perhaps now, with Christensen’s injury, we’re short of a centre-back.”
Cubarsi sets sights on Champions League glory
After winning the World Cup with Spain, Cubarsi has no shortage of targets, as the Champions League is particularly high on his list with Barcelona.
“Right now, there’s the Nations League, the Champions League with Barça – which is a dream – and the European Championship.”
Cubarsi feels Barcelona lack depth in centre-back position. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The defender also explained why his recovery period was as much about clearing his mind as resting physically after an exhausting year.
“It wasn’t so much my legs as my head that needed clearing a bit. I think we’ve managed that, and although the season will be a long one, we’re going into it in good shape.”
Two months after becoming a world champion, Cubarsi says he is only now beginning to appreciate what the achievement means.
“I think I’ve come to terms with it now, because it’s been two months after all. When you get home for the first time and see everyone so excited, it makes you realise the magnitude of what you’ve achieved.”
That realisation became even stronger when he revisited one of the defining moments of Spain’s World Cup triumph.
In the final against Argentina, Cubarsi produced a crucial late defensive intervention, although he admits he did not immediately understand its importance.
“I was very tired, I collapsed to the ground and wasn’t one hundred per cent convinced of what I’d done. But later, when I saw the replay, I realised I’d saved it,” he concluded.