Barcelona's defensive woes deepen as Pau Cubarsi faces recovery

The 17-year-old was struck in the face by an opposing forward's boot as he attempted to clear the ball, leaving him with a deep, bleeding wound that forced him to leave the pitch early in Barca's 5-2 win.

Teammates and fans alike were stunned by the severity of the injury, which left Cubarsi visibly shaken and bleeding profusely. Barcelona's medical team responded swiftly, stitching up the wound with ten stitches before he travelled back to Barcelona with the rest of the squad.

The extent of the injury was evident in the photos Cubarsi shared later on social media. "All for this badge," he wrote alongside a picture showing his stitched-up face, a testament to his determination and passion for the club.

Though no official medical report has been issued, Barcelona are expected to take a cautious approach with Cubarsi's recovery. Despite his desire to play, the club is wary of the risk of reopening the wound.

Manager Hansi Flick, known for his cautious approach to player injuries, will likely avoid taking unnecessary chances, especially with Sunday's La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad approaching.

Barcelona's defensive line has already been stretched thin due to injuries, with Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen both sidelined long-term and Eric Garcia also out until after the international break.

If Cubarsi is unable to feature this weekend, Flick may turn to Marc Dominguez to partner Inigo Martinez in central defence.

Cubarsi's injury casts a shadow over Barcelona's defensive options, but his resilience and commitment have won admiration.

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