Rarely is a player so young deployed in the center of defense
Xavi was brave in a moment where his job may have been, for the first time, truly on the line. FC Barcelona needed a win following an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup.
Facing injuries in the middle of defense, he trusted 16-year-old Pau Cubarsí with a start against Real Betis. He could’ve gone with Jules Koundé and Ronald Araujo at centerback, with Sergi Roberto at right-back. But he opted for the youngster following a good showing in the Copa del Rey against lower-league opposition.
Young defenders are rarely given starts in pressure matches, and 16 is basically as young as it gets at the top level. It’s one position in which you can’t make mistakes, and you need a very strong mentality to overcome the pressure.
Cubarsí delivered, playing very solidly in the 4-2 win.
Xavi may still have problems to solve but he made a very bold call and it paid off. His trust in Lamine Yamal, also 16, and other young academy players, has borne fruit so far.
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When and where to watch Athletic Club v FC Barcelona - FC Barcelona
The Copa del Rey is down to the last eight teams, and FC Barcelona are away to Athletic Club in a single-leg tie. It's a massive occasion and one no fan is going to want to miss, and this is the page you need to make sure you're doing exactly on Wednesday evening, or at whatever other part of the day it will be in your part of the world.
Previous meetings of all colours against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey - FC Barcelona
The two Copa del Rey kings, Athletic Club de Bilbao and FC Barcelona, meet on Wednesday in San Mamés, kick off 9.30pm CET, in the quarter finals of this season's competition. The two clubs have won the Copa on 54 occasions between, Barça leading the way with 31 wins and the Basque club not far behind on 23 victories.
Ferran Torres: 'Best form of my career' - FC Barcelona
Ferran Torres celebrated his first ton of appearances for FC Barcelona on Sunday, and did so in tremendous style by scoring a hat-trick away to Real Betis. He spoke to us about his brilliant form, mental development and his 'shark' nickname in our exclusive interview.
Pau Cubarsí: 'Best week of my life' - FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona needed a new centre back, and they've found one right at home. Pau Cubarsí made his debut as a sub against Unionistas de Salamanca in the cup and then got to start the league game against Betis.
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Barcelona want to put an end to speculation over Ronald Araujo’s future at the club. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are rumoured to be interested in a huge summer move for the Uruguay international. If Bayern retain their Bundesliga title, they will have extra funds to spend, amid reports of an €80m offer incoming for Araujo.
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Barça face a monster tie at San Mamés with a spot in the Spanish Cup Final Four at stake
The madness of January continues for Barcelona as the Catalan giants face yet another brutal test on the road with a spot in the Spanish Cup Final Four on the line when the Blaugrana travel to the Basque Country to face Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
After months of poor results and performances the Blaugrana played one of their best games of the season in their thrilling win away to Real Betis on Sunday, and now they will look to build upon the many positives shown against the Verdiblancos and win another big road game to progress in the Cup and keep their title hopes alive.
But Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic are always a brutal opponent in their home stadium and will be hungry to eliminate the mighty Barça and move on to the semi-finals. Here’s how we think Xavi Hernández will line up his troops for Wednesday’s battle.
Defense
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Xavi is very much a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” type of coach when it comes to his tactics and team selection. Sometimes it gets him into trouble, but the manager is not shy about sticking with a group of players for many games in a row if they fit well together and win a big game in impressive fashion.
So we shouldn’t expect any big changes to the team that beat Betis, with the only doubt coming at the back: Andreas Christensen missed the trip to Seville with a foot injury but indications are he will be ready for this one, and the Dane would replace young Pau Cubarsí at the heart of the backline alongside Ronald Araujo with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde retaining the full-back spots.
João Cancelo could return to the squad after his knee injury but the Portuguese is unlikely to start even if he does come back, so it’ll most likely be the ‘BACK’ quartet together again with Cancelo available as a second half super sub.
Midfield
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Pedri is almost back. The magician was superb in his 70-minute cameo against Betis and looks more and more like his most spectacular self as he gets closer to full fitness. Xavi and the medical team have finally decided to be more careful with the Spaniard’s minutes and are sticking to their plan regardless of the game situation, and they’ll have to remain disciplined even in a Cup tie that could easily go into extra-time.
Ilkay Gündogan and Frenkie de Jong will complete the midfield, and they’ve now fully morphed into a very effective double pivot since the start of 2024. The two seem to complement each other perfectly, and Barça can finally control the midfield again if the three stars are able to play multiple games together.
Attack
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Beware of The Shark. Ferran Torres scored a superb hat-trick at the weekend to continue the best run of form of his career, and the Spaniard continues to reap the rewards for his hard work and mental fortitude. He’s an undisputed starter right now, and if he continues to contribute in meaningful ways Barça will become more dangerous with multiple threats in attack.
One of those threats is Lamine Yamal, who was the other star of the show against Betis and played a brilliant all-around game. The 16-year-old has undeniable potential and is already making big strides towards becoming a complete player at an imaginably young age, and while he will have natural ups and downs there’s no denying his special talent. He deserves to keep his place in the team and he’ll look to provide Robert Lewandowski with some great service to help the Pole find the back of the net in a big game on the road, which is when strikers of his caliber are needed the most.
Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Gündogan, De Jong; Yamal, Pedri, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Athletic? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
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The Spain forward has had his ups and downs since signing from Manchester City but is in a good place at the moment.
He has 11 goals and three assists for Barcelona this season and thinks he’s playing his best football since joining Xavi’s side.
“I think I’m in the best form of my career. I’ve never been so self-confident. Mentally, I am much stronger,” he told the club’s website.
“I learned that it’s all about mentality. That’s what creates that self-confidence that’s so important to feel right both on and off the pitch. As well as working hard, staying humble and being consistent. It’s discipline that gets you to stand out from the rest.”
Ferran went on to speak about his role in the dressing room and also sent a message to fans to thank them for their support.
“I try to keep the team united. To make jokes, make sure everyone is looked after, and contribute my experience. I am still young but thanks to God I have experience for dealing with the trickier parts of a season,” he added.
“I was so proud when the fans chanted my name for the first time at Montjuïc. I know they are there for me and the team. I want them to be calm, to know that we are very united and that we need the fans more than ever... But we will bring them a lot of joy this season.”
Barca now head Athletic for a Copa del Rey clash. It’s a ground that brings back fond memories for Ferran as he scored his first goal for Barcelona at San Mames.
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Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsi admits he is having the best week of his life after making his debut for the club.
Cubarsi featured as a substitute in midweek against Unionistas and then made his full debut in the 4-2 win over Real Betis.
The defender is now celebrating his 17th birthday and can’t hide how happy he is right now.
“I am very happy. It has been the best week of my life. It means a lot to be able to debut with the Barça first team, because I have always been a culé and for me it is a dream,” he told the club’s media.
“The day before in training I found out I might be in the starting line-up, but it wasn’t confirmed until Xavi announced the team.
“I was so happy. I was very nervous at first, but as I gained confidence I started to go with the flow and be myself.”
It’s Ferran’s first hat-trick for Barcelona since his move to the club from Manchester City. He’s also the first Spain international to bag three in one game for the club since Pedro back in 2013 Getafe.
“He’s very valuable. I spoke with him in the summer, he told me that his mission was to succeed at Barça,” he said.
“He is very strong mentally and I am happy for him because he is an extraordinary guy. He has earned it on a personal level. He is one of the mentally strongest players I have ever encountered.”
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Joao Cancelo sent out a message to Joao Felix after Barcelona’s exciting 4-2 win at Real Betis on Sunday in La Liga.
Felix came off the bench and made it 3-2 to Barcelona with a brilliant goal with the outside of his boot.
Cancelo, who is out injured and was watching the game from home, took to social media with a message for his compatriot.
“Let’s go, my boy Joao Felix... Let them talk! Nothing beats talent,” he wrote on Instagram stories.
Joao Cancelo Instagram
Felix has come in for a fair bit of criticism in recent weeks for his performances for Barcelona and has dropped out of the starting XI.
He offered a reminder of his vast talents against Betis with a well-taken goal that put Barcelona back in front after they’d blown a 2-0 lead.
Barcelona will be hoping Felix can kick on from his latest effort with Athletic up next in the Copa del Rey, followed by a La Liga clash with Villarreal.
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