Pau Cubarsi, the talented young defender from Barcelona, is expected to return for the La Liga match against Real Sociedad on Sunday, despite recently suffering a significant facial injury.
The 17-year-old athlete had ten stitches after a collision during Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.
Although there was uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline, Cubarsi has been spotted training with a protective mask, instilling hope among fans that he’ll participate in the game this weekend.
Hansi Flick’s Comments on Cubarsi’s Return
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, conveyed optimism regarding Cubarsi’s participation in the upcoming match. He remarked, “I believe Pau will be ready; he trained with us in the full session,” underscoring the player’s eagerness to return to action quickly.
Cubarsi’s commitment has made him a key player in Barcelona’s defense, where he has formed a strong partnership with Inigo Martinez in the absence of Ronald Araujo.
Spain’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, opted not to include Cubarsi in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, allowing him to focus on a complete recovery. He stated that, given the severity of Cubarsi’s injury, caution is essential to prevent a rushed return.
In addition, Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo’s status for Sunday’s match is uncertain following a recent illness. However, Flick believes Olmo is recovering well and is set to play in the upcoming fixture.
Barcelona’s Recent Performance
As they approach the match on Sunday, Barcelona boasts a remarkable seven-game winning streak across all competitions, with four consecutive victories in La Liga.
The team currently holds a nine-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the league table. Flick praised Real Sociedad, calling them “a technical and intelligent team,” and expressed enthusiasm for the match, highlighting Barcelona’s goal of continuing their winning streak.
Despite several essential players being unavailable, including Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Eric Garcia, and Ferran Torres, Barcelona is determined to secure another victory to uphold their dominant position in La Liga.