BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 31: Pau Cubarsi of Barcelona celebrates after the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on August 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has provided an explanation for the absence of Blaugrana star Pau Cubarsí from his latest starting line-up.
Barca were of course back in action on Saturday evening, playing host to Getafe in their post-international break return to the pitch. When all was said and done on a comfortable day’s work for the reigning Spanish champions, they emerged on the right side of a 3-0 result.
Hansi Flick’s backline underwent something of a shake-up for the clash, as Jules Koundé stepped into a starting role. This in turn pushed Eric García into a central role, alongside Gerard Martín.
The aforementioned Pau Cubarsí, considered one of the first names on Barcelona’s team sheet, was as a result forced to watch on from the bench.
Speaking to the media post-match, Hansi Flick was therefore drawn on the situation in his backline. And the German tactician went on to explain:
“Both Eric and Jules wanted to play as centre-backs today. In the end, we decided on Eric. Cubarsí had played in many matches, although he’s a young player who could play in every single game; for us it was important that he rested today.”
Hansi Flick: “Tanto Eric como Jules querían jugar de centrales hoy. Al final nos hemos decidido por Eric. Cubarsí llevaba muchos partidos, aunque es un jugador joven que podría jugar todos los partidos, para nosotros era importante que descansara hoy”. @JijantesFC pic.twitter.com/PId0XS7qVz
— Guillem Borràs Pérez (@Guillembp01) October 10, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN