FC Barcelona’s 5-0 pre-season triumph over FC Daegu was overshadowed by an injury to young star Pau Cubarsi.
The 18-year-old centre-back, a cornerstone of Hansi Flick’s defensive setup, was forced off in the 87th minute after a blow to his left knee, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Joan Gamper Trophy and La Liga opener against Mallorca.
Despite the worry, early assessments suggest a less severe outcome, with Barcelona’s medical team now outlining a recovery timeline for the homegrown talent.
The 18-year-old centre-back Pau Cubarsi was forced off in the 87th minute after experiencing discomfort in his left leg, as reported by Diario Sport.
The homegrown defender, a standout in pre-season, had been pivotal in Barcelona’s defensive solidity, which restricted Daegu to just two shots.
During a second-half attacking move, Cubarsi appeared to strain his left calf but continued briefly before signaling to the bench and going to the ground.
The sight of the young star on the rain-soaked turf prompted immediate concern from Flick, who was visibly worried as the medical team rushed to assess the situation.
Barcelona’s medical staff determined that Cubarsi had suffered a blow to his left knee rather than a muscular injury, a relatively positive outcome as reported.
After removing his shin guard and indicating pain in his tibia, Cubarsi was substituted by Hector Fort in the 85th minute.
Encouragingly, he walked off the pitch without a significant limp, suggesting the injury may not be severe.
Flick checked on his condition as he exited, reflecting the player’s importance to the squad.
With the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como and the La Liga curtain-raiser looming, Barcelona will anxiously await further updates on Cubarsi’s fitness.
His pre-season performances have cemented his role in Flick’s plans, and any absence could impact the team’s defensive setup.
For now, the Blaugrana remain cautiously optimistic, hoping their young star’s injury is merely a minor setback in an otherwise promising pre-season campaign.
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