Xavi has responded to the multiple losses that Barcelona has in defense with a solution from the youth team. The coach has not thought about it and has given the title to Pau Cubarsí, a youth center back. The defender, who already played the second half in Salamanca against Unionistas, makes his debut in the League one day before his 17th birthday.
Born in 2007, as Lamine Yamal, despite not being his team, Cubarsí has played 9 games to date with Rafa Márquez's reserve team in Primera RFEF. As in the Cup, the Estanyol defender will cover Christensen's position in the center of defense.
At the back, Barça's casualties are piling up. In addition to the Dane, injured in Salamanca, Iñigo Martínez, Cancelo and Marcos Alonso are out. Xavi, despite the delicate moment, has been brave in betting on Cubarsí, the third youth player to start this season after Lamine Yamal and Héctor Fort.
In defense, the other novelty is the return of Ronald Araújo, who missed the round of 16 of the Cup due to his expulsion in the Super Cup final.
If in the midfield, Xavi can finally continue his dream direction with Gündogan, De Jong and Pedri, up front he also surprises with the sixth consecutive start (all games in 2024) of Ferran Torres and with the entry of Lamine Yamal on the right. The youth winger also did not travel to the Cup due to another sanction.
