- FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi promised that his team will go “all out” in Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 clash against Newcastle United.
- The La Masia product who debuted at 16 showed a typical fearlessness ahead of the big occasion, despite conceding that the team is young and inexperienced.
- Cubarsi is almost certain to start alongside Gerard Martin.
FC Barcelona’s teenage ‘veteran’ spoke with wisdom beyond his years
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Joan Gamper CT, FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi doubled down on his previous war cry by vowing that he and his teammates will go all out to defeat Newcastle United in this week’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie.
Debuting at the age of 16 under Xavi Hernandez, Cubarsi is almost a veteran at this point as one of the lead graduates of the famous La Masia ‘Class of 2007’.
He’s been here before, with this his third consecutive appearance in the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition.
Barça reached the quarterfinals in 2024, with Cubarsi becoming the youngest ever defender to do so, then the semi-finals in 2025 where participation was ended by Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan respectively.
And while Hansi Flick’s side could be considered wet behind the ears for the most part in terms of maturity, Cubarsi, 19, indicated that age is just a number on the big stage.
“We are very young but we want to give it our all, to see that everything is possible no matter how old you are in this club,” Cubarsi said.
“We don’t have much experience in this world but we do have the desire to give it our all as we have done in the youth categories.
“In these games where concentration is maximum, you have to give everything and have the confidence of the coach to perform at your best. At this club, no matter how old you are, anything is possible,” he reiterated.
Cubarsi is certain to start for FC Barcelona against Newcastle
Impressive in the 1-1 draw that was the first leg at St. James’ Park, and not afforded a rest in the 5-2 thrashing of Sevilla on Sunday, Cubarsi is certain to start in the heart of defence here with Flick only expected to make two changes at most.
This is likely to entail Eric Garcia coming in at right back to add calm and ball carrying acumen in Xavi Espart or Ronald Araujo’s place.
And while an in-form Joao Cancelo mans the left flank, Gerard Martin will partner Cubarsi as part of a duo that the latter is more than happy with.
“Gerard Martin is having a spectacular season, this time playing as a centreback. We help each other, his season has been magnificent. He can also play at full-back. We are at a great level, where everyone can play and perform at their best. I’m very happy for him,” Cubarsi said of the late bloomer nicknamed Gerard ‘Maldini’, in a nod to arguably the greatest defender of all time in AC Milan icon Paolo.
There was also kind words about Cancelo, however, the Portuguese loanee from Al-Hilal considered something of a loose cannon in his first stint under Xavi but now much-improved on Flick’s watch.
“We are very happy that he’s back. He’s versatile and can help us on both wings. He helped me a lot to integrate into the dressing room when I started in the first team. He’s a great player, one more Culer, and he’s delighted to be here,” Cubarsi said about the journeyman.
FC Barcelona star Cubarsi isn’t intimidated by size or strength deficincies
A leader at the back in the first instalment of the fixture, Cubarsi already has experience of doing battle with Newcastle’s front men and those that have certain advantages over him in general.
“In a Champions League match you always face the best. You will always find strikers at the top level, and for me it is not a problem to face someone faster or stronger; I just mentally prepare to give it my all,” he revealed.
“It’s a very important game that you have to get through no matter what. We will try to go through with the help of all the Culers,” Cubarsi then concluded.
With the support of a 62,000 public and the Grada d’Anamició, Barça will have a 12th man able of pushing them to victory as it did against Sevilla.
On the field, however, it’s Cubarsi’s intelligence and reading of the game to snuff out danger that could prove the difference over those that are perhaps taller and more powerful, in addition to his line-cutting passes from out the back.
